Sindh Assembly has passed a resolution that it be made mandatory for DNA evidence to be used as the primary evidence in rape cases and that the cost of testing for the victim be borne by the government. PHOTO: ONLINE/FILE
In a move that will be appreciated by rights activists across the country, the Sindh Assembly has passed a resolution that it be made mandatory for DNA evidence to be used as the primary evidence in rape cases and that the cost of testing for the victim be borne by the government. The resolution moved by Pakistan Peoples Party MPA Sharmila Farooqi states that while the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) had stated DNA evidence could not be used as the main evidence, the Supreme Court had later ruled it should, in fact, be used as the primary evidence.
The resolution is an important one. It marks an understanding by the assembly that the use of scientific evidence is essential in bringing perpetrators of rape to justice. This is especially significant in a country where too few cases of rape are reported by victims, due to stigma and the ordeal of being hauled through a trial process. A lower rate of successful prosecution for those accused of rape could well discourage victims of the crime from coming forward. Right now, the police use DNA as the main means to act in cases involving sexual assault. The CCI ruling would then have set back this process.
A good precedent has been set by the passage of this resolution and concern shown for women. It was encouraging to see support for the resolution from a significant number of members from the house. Other assemblies should, ideally, also emulate this move, and show commitment to move along with the advances in science, to protect women and to ensure that every possible means available is used to punish those guilty of offences committed against them. Laying DNA evidence aside in this day and age, when forensic testing is becoming the basis of criminal investigations everywhere in the world, would be a travesty. We welcome the move in Sindh and hope DNA evidence will be made mandatory in rape cases everywhere in the country.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 14th, 2013.
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Good job! An enlightened Sindh can lead the backward people of Punjab. We must refuse the frigging mullahs to decide what is right.
a pressurized move taken so hastily that no time was given to debate the issue with respect to its meticulous details regarding the pros and cons of adopting DNA test at MAIN EVIDENCE. What is seems more like underlining that the incidents of rape in Pakistan are rampant. Similar to the fabricated case of minority rights where efforts are being made to enfold shia Muslims into the minority circle.
The choice is ours. We want science to give us guidance. When research shows that some findings are not accurate, science change the findings to fit with true results. Religion does not. It is time reformists get the upper hand in making decisions.
Why not use it in other cases too like abductions and killings.These murders has been going for too long in Karachi and Hyderabad and whoever is responsible for it should be brought to justice. I do applaude this act of Sindh Assembly. The heck with CII.
Atleast some one appreciated it.When any scandal comes in light, media does not hesitate to place the name of PPP in headlines but when PPP Govt does any thing right, hardly they are given due credit. We should also say well done PPP in headline