NCHR in limbo: New rights body hobbled by lack of funds, facilities

Still under process of initial preparation due to negligent attitude of federal govt

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s newly constituted, first National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) has not been able to start its functioning as a full-fledged entity despite the passage of three months after its establishment, a senior official of Law ministry revealed requesting anonymity.

The members of the NCHR were notified on 20 May, three years after the National Commission for Human Rights Act was passed by the parliament in June 2012.

However, the commission is faced with numerous difficulties in discharging its duties as the federal government has not been able to meet even the basic needs of the human rights watchdog.

Under the Act, the commission has massive powers including  investigating human rights violations by government departments and individuals, suo motu on petitions; visiting detention centers to ascertain the legality of the detention of various people and ensuring detainees are being treated according to law; reviewing and suggesting amendments to Pakistan’s constitutional and legal framework on human rights; making recommendations for the effective implementation of international human rights treaties; and developing a national plan of action for promotion and protection of human rights.

The commission has powers of a civil court and the government under the Act will have to appoint a special court for the trial of human rights violators.

While the commission has vast powers to check human rights violations by government institutions, it is still in the process of initial preparation due to the negligent attitude of the federal government.

One of the senior members of the NCHR, on condition of anonymity revealed that they have not received their monthly salaries or official vehicles as yet. “We cannot discharge our responsibilities without proper staff” he said. The commission has been allotted a single room in an official building in Blue Area by the Law Division. The room is allotted for the Chairman but few members are also sharing it for official purposes.  The law division has provided only one typist and a peon to the commission while the rest of staff will be employed at a later stage.

The Law Division official said an old building which housed the Federal Shariat Court for many years, when its present building was still under construction has been allotted to the commission.  The official admitted that it will take another three to five months for completion of the renovation work.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 23^rd, 2015.