PHOTO: FILE
A working group of representatives of NGOs on the Generalised System of Preferences-Plus has asked the Sindh government to institutionalise human rights in the province.
At a press conference at Hyderabad Press Con Sunday, the Civil Society Working Group-Sindh called for legislation, establishing of institutions and creation of a rights-oriented atmosphere in Sindh.
According to the group, by availing the GSP-Plus, which allows Pakistan duty-free access to European markets, the government has committed to the implementation of over 27 international conventions. The group's objective is to monitor compliance of international human rights commitments in Pakistan and engage with the federal and provincial governments on key reforms required to meet the GSP-Plus conditions.
Human Rights Day: ‘Men can help end gender violence’
"Although we appreciate the establishment of the Sindh Human Rights Commission, it continues to work with resource and capacity constraints despite passage of two years," claimed Punhal Sario, who was accompanied by representatives of different NGOs including Zulfiqar Halepoto, Javed Soz, Nobahar Wassan and Aakash Ansari.
Halepoto pointed out a similar dysfunctional organisation, the Treaty Implementation Cell, which is responsible for developing coordination with the government for compliance with UN conventions on human rights. "For over a year, the cell has continued to struggle with the staff and resources issues," he observed.
The activists also found the province lagging behind in ensuring the child rights by preventing the child labour and marriages and providing education and healthcare.
They shared the 2013-14 figures of the honour killings which show that 602 killings out of a total of 933 cases reported in the country occurred in Sindh.
Halepoto said after the 18th Amendment the province is responsible for implementing most of the international conventions.
"The labour laws which are pending provincial legislation include Anti Bonded Labour Law, Factories Act, 1934, W.P Industrial and Commercial Employment (S.O) Ordinance, Shops and Establishment Ordinance, Shop and Wages Act, 1936, Compensation Act, Cost of Living Ordinance and Minimum Wages Ordinance, among others."
Published in The Express Tribune, January 25th, 2016.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ