NA standing committee: Rights activists demand law for their own protection

HR subject be introduced at primary school level.


Rabia Ali January 12, 2012

KARACHI: Social activists have demanded a law for their own protection, stressing that defenders of human rights should be provided safety and security.

“In many countries, there is legislation for the protection of human right activists. In Pakistan too, we want a similar law which protects us,” said Sara Zaman, the director of War Against Rape. Her demand was part of many others put forward by civil society in a meeting with Riaz Fatyana, the chairman of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Human Rights.

The discussion with representatives from various NGOs was held at the Sindh Secretariat on Wednesday in which the activists gave their point of view about prevailing human rights situation in the country.

During the meeting, the chairman sought recommendations to improve the situation of the human rights in the country. However, Fatyana painted a bleak picture when he said that the state has failed to provide basic amenities as well as rights to its people. “Incidents of police torture and corruption are worsening the situation.”

But with the formation of the National Commission of Human Rights, he said, there was a glimpse of hope as the commission, with its judicial powers, would be able to take notice of cases pending in courts for the last several years. On the subject of Balochistan, he said that the case of missing persons is subjudice and efforts are being made to locate them.

Demands to introduce syllabus on the subject of human rights in educational institutions were also made. Zaman said that the subject should be made a mandatory part of the curriculum of law.

Meanwhile, Abdul Hayee of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan corroborated this and said that “the subject of human rights should be introduced at the primary school level. It should be taught to students so that they are aware of their rights.” He regretted that the women police stations are not functioning properly, and emphasised increasing the strength of women police officers.

Representing the lawyers, Tahir Iqbal of the Legal Rights Forum called for an increase in the number of judges, especially the women judges, as the shortage of judges has led to increase in number of pending cases.

Regional director of the Aurat Foundation, Mahnaz Rahman, while stressing the need for shelter homes said, “Victims of violence, homeless and destitute women want a safe environment for which a number of shelter homes are needed in the city.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 12th, 2012.

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