ICT child protection bill vetted

ISLAMABAD: The law ministry has vetted the draft of a child protection bill for Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) before sending it to the Prime Minister’s Office for approval for parliamentary submission.

Officials have told The Express Tribune that the summary of the ICT Child Protection Bill, 2016, was forwarded to relevant quarters last week.

The bill provides for the protection of children from violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect in compliance with constitutional provisions and international obligations.

Provision (19) of the draft bill relates to provisions in respect of a child who leaves alternative care. “If any child leaves an alternative care provided under the provisions of this Act without permission of the caregiver, the person designated to provide such care shall immediately report the matter to the local police and child protection officer,” the first part of the said provision reads.

The second part reads: “No child shall be returned to the same alternative care for placement without (a) an investigation by the child protection officer to determine the reasons for such leaving. (b) interviewing the child by the child protection officer in the absence of any carer or staff from the said alternative care; (c) the court being satisfied that it is in the best interests of the child to send him to the same or any other alternative care.” Provision (20) of the draft bill that relates to care of a girl child, reads: “Under no circumstances a girl-child shall be taken into care or remain under the care of a male child protection officer or a male caregiver.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 26^th, 2016.