Missing persons: Charge them or release them, says united Senate
Upper house passes unanimous resolution condemning enforced disappearances; labour-friendly bill approved.
ISLAMABAD:
As half of the upper house nears retirement, senators seem determined to end their tenure on a unified note – and a strong one at that. On Wednesday, the Senate passed a unanimous resolution condemning the practice of enforced disappearances, rampant particularly in troubled Balochistan.
The increasing disquiet over the missing persons issue entered the upper house on Wednesday, when the Senate passed a resolution calling for immediate action over the issue without opposition. The resolution was moved by Senator Professor Khurshid Ahmad of the Jamaat-e-Islami, a party that will no longer be represented in the Senate as of March 11.
The resolution stated that the incidents were a persistent violation of Articles 9 and 10 of the Constitution, which refer to security of person and safeguards regarding arrest and detention.
It added that, while acts of terrorism are unforgivable, all citizens are innocent until proven guilty through due process of law.
“The abduction, arbitrary lifting and forced disappearance of any human being is illegal and intolerable in a civilised society”.
Senator Ahmad, meanwhile, pointed fingers at the government, saying, “The dilemma of missing persons is a stigma on the face of the democratic government”.
The upper house not only condemned the extra-judicial activity but also resolved that the federal and provincial governments should take immediate and effective steps to ensure the speedy recovery and release of missing persons, except for those who were charged under the law for any offense. A detailed report should also be presented as early as possible, Senate demanded.
Labour-friendly bill
The Senate was in an unusually cooperative mood, also unanimously passing the Industrial Relations Bill 2012 with amendments to boot. The bill was moved by Senator Raza Rabbani. The bill focused on employee rights and welfare, providing the consolidation and rationalisation of law relating to the formation of trade unions as well as relations between employers and staff in various establishments and industries.
Under this bill, the government will constitute a National Industrial Relations Commission. It shall consist of not less than ten full-time members including the chairperson.
Speaking on the floor of the House, Senator Rabbani thanked all the members of the upper house and said their support was proof of their labour-friendly attitude.
Rabbani also informed the House that this bill will apply to people working in the Islamabad Capital Territory or those carrying on business in more than one province, but shall not apply to any person employed in the police or any of the defence services and administration of the state other than those employed as workmen or as a member of security staff of Pakistan International Airlines.
The bill visualises the registration of trade unions, collective bargaining agents, workers participation, getting rid of unfair labour practices, and settlement of disputes.
Earlier, Law Minister Moula Bakhsh Chandio laid before the House the Annual Report on Observance and Implementation of the Principles of Policy, in relation to the affairs of the federation for the year 2010-11.
Later, outgoing Senator Kulsoom Perveen, who seemed reluctant to leave just yet, protested on a point of order, saying that soon-to-retire lawmakers had received notices to vacate parliamentarian lodges prior to their retirement dates, and adding that they were being treated inhumanly by the secretariat.
The chair directed the concerned authorities to allow the outgoing members an extended stay till March 26 so the members could easily check out from lodges and also requested the out-going members to leave the place by the given date for the convenience of incoming members of Senate.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 8th, 2012.
As half of the upper house nears retirement, senators seem determined to end their tenure on a unified note – and a strong one at that. On Wednesday, the Senate passed a unanimous resolution condemning the practice of enforced disappearances, rampant particularly in troubled Balochistan.
The increasing disquiet over the missing persons issue entered the upper house on Wednesday, when the Senate passed a resolution calling for immediate action over the issue without opposition. The resolution was moved by Senator Professor Khurshid Ahmad of the Jamaat-e-Islami, a party that will no longer be represented in the Senate as of March 11.
The resolution stated that the incidents were a persistent violation of Articles 9 and 10 of the Constitution, which refer to security of person and safeguards regarding arrest and detention.
It added that, while acts of terrorism are unforgivable, all citizens are innocent until proven guilty through due process of law.
“The abduction, arbitrary lifting and forced disappearance of any human being is illegal and intolerable in a civilised society”.
Senator Ahmad, meanwhile, pointed fingers at the government, saying, “The dilemma of missing persons is a stigma on the face of the democratic government”.
The upper house not only condemned the extra-judicial activity but also resolved that the federal and provincial governments should take immediate and effective steps to ensure the speedy recovery and release of missing persons, except for those who were charged under the law for any offense. A detailed report should also be presented as early as possible, Senate demanded.
Labour-friendly bill
The Senate was in an unusually cooperative mood, also unanimously passing the Industrial Relations Bill 2012 with amendments to boot. The bill was moved by Senator Raza Rabbani. The bill focused on employee rights and welfare, providing the consolidation and rationalisation of law relating to the formation of trade unions as well as relations between employers and staff in various establishments and industries.
Under this bill, the government will constitute a National Industrial Relations Commission. It shall consist of not less than ten full-time members including the chairperson.
Speaking on the floor of the House, Senator Rabbani thanked all the members of the upper house and said their support was proof of their labour-friendly attitude.
Rabbani also informed the House that this bill will apply to people working in the Islamabad Capital Territory or those carrying on business in more than one province, but shall not apply to any person employed in the police or any of the defence services and administration of the state other than those employed as workmen or as a member of security staff of Pakistan International Airlines.
The bill visualises the registration of trade unions, collective bargaining agents, workers participation, getting rid of unfair labour practices, and settlement of disputes.
Earlier, Law Minister Moula Bakhsh Chandio laid before the House the Annual Report on Observance and Implementation of the Principles of Policy, in relation to the affairs of the federation for the year 2010-11.
Later, outgoing Senator Kulsoom Perveen, who seemed reluctant to leave just yet, protested on a point of order, saying that soon-to-retire lawmakers had received notices to vacate parliamentarian lodges prior to their retirement dates, and adding that they were being treated inhumanly by the secretariat.
The chair directed the concerned authorities to allow the outgoing members an extended stay till March 26 so the members could easily check out from lodges and also requested the out-going members to leave the place by the given date for the convenience of incoming members of Senate.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 8th, 2012.