Towards a more humanitarian society: Awareness campaigns to familiarise public with Directorate of Human Rights

UNHCR, Afghan govt hopeful Pakistan will extend refugee stay

PESHAWAR:

Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights Imtiaz Shahid Qureshi said provincial government was fully devoted to formulating laws to preserve human rights and ensure good governance in the province. He was speaking as chief guest at a seminar titled ‘Awareness on Human Rights’ organised by the K-P Directorate of Human Rights in collaboration with Blue Veins at a local hotel on Thursday.

The minister said the K-P Directorate of Human Rights as an autonomous body in the province was a major achievement. “Other provinces only have human rights cells but we have succeeded in establishing a proper and historical directorate to protect and promote human rights in all districts of the province,”
Qureshi said.

He also said at the initial stage, awareness campaigns will be arranged in 14 districts of the province to highlight the rules, regulations and functions of the directorate.

After hearing arguments and suggestions for improvements from participants at the seminar, the minister assured them legal modifications would be made in the K-P Promotion, Protection and Enforcement of Human Rights Act 2014 to make it more effective in terms of implementation.

On this occasion UNHCR representative Bashir Ahmad said the Proof of Registration (PoR) Card for Afghan refugees expired on December 31 and Pakistan government has not announced its extension so far. He said UNHCR and Afghan government have already requested Pakistan government and are hopeful about the extension of time. He appealed to the security forces to not disturb refugees till any government announcement was made. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar has hinted the deadline will be extended.

On the record

Directorate of Human Rights Director Noor Zaman Khattak said in 2013, only 48 complaints regarding human rights violation were registered but in 2015, the number of complaints increased to 500. He said minorities and people who are transgender will be given top priority when ensuring civil liberties were given to all.



All Pakistan Hindu Rights Movement Chairman Haroon Sarabdiyal appreciated this initiative by the government and said other provinces should soon follow this model. He criticised the large number of laws passed by the assembly that were not properly implemented.

Blue Veins Coordinator Qamar Naseem requested the government to fill the Ombudsperson post vacant since 2010 in order to provide timely justice to people.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 1^st, 2016.