Save the children: ‘Juvenile offenders must be protected at all costs’
Speakers at the seminar suggested introducing laws to protect children under probation.
Speakers at the seminar suggested introducing laws to protect children under probation. PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
The provincial government must introduce supportive laws to facilitate the implementation of the Juvenile Justice System Ordinance — 2000 (JJSO-2000).
This was stressed by speakers at a seminar on child protection and juvenile justice, on Tuesday. The speakers included the former additional inspector general of Sindh Police, Zaffar Ahmed Farooqi, the provincial parole and probation department’s assistant director, Manzoor Hussain, Lawyers for Human Rights and Legal Aid’s Bushra Syed and Karachi University Psychology Department’s Dr Farah Iqbal, among others.
Addressing the seminar, the provincial minister for special education, women development and social welfare, Rubina Qaimkhani, stressed that children were the country’s assets and must be protected at all costs. She acknowledged the fact that children, especially those living and working in the streets, were seen by criminals and terrorists as easy targets. “These children initially commit petty crimes to sustain themselves and then eventually become a part of the criminal world,” she explained.
The minister reported that the JJSO-2000 was in accordance with the UN Convention on Rights of the Child, adding that the ordinance could protect children from harm if they were found to be involved in criminal activities.
Former AIGP Farooqi, in his address, explained the background, history and the need for the ordinance in the province. He briefed the audience about the different aspects of the law and how it could help in the reintegration of juvenile offenders back into society.
KU’s Dr Farah Iqbal stressed upon the importance of psychological counseling for the children during the period of probation. She was of the belief that the children needed to be properly counseled and assisted when they were being reintegrated into society’s fold. “Mental strength, self-awareness and self-confidence are few ingredients that only psychological counseling can provide. Without such support, there are more chances of relapse,” elaborated the psychologist.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 4th, 2013.
The provincial government must introduce supportive laws to facilitate the implementation of the Juvenile Justice System Ordinance — 2000 (JJSO-2000).
This was stressed by speakers at a seminar on child protection and juvenile justice, on Tuesday. The speakers included the former additional inspector general of Sindh Police, Zaffar Ahmed Farooqi, the provincial parole and probation department’s assistant director, Manzoor Hussain, Lawyers for Human Rights and Legal Aid’s Bushra Syed and Karachi University Psychology Department’s Dr Farah Iqbal, among others.
Addressing the seminar, the provincial minister for special education, women development and social welfare, Rubina Qaimkhani, stressed that children were the country’s assets and must be protected at all costs. She acknowledged the fact that children, especially those living and working in the streets, were seen by criminals and terrorists as easy targets. “These children initially commit petty crimes to sustain themselves and then eventually become a part of the criminal world,” she explained.
The minister reported that the JJSO-2000 was in accordance with the UN Convention on Rights of the Child, adding that the ordinance could protect children from harm if they were found to be involved in criminal activities.
Former AIGP Farooqi, in his address, explained the background, history and the need for the ordinance in the province. He briefed the audience about the different aspects of the law and how it could help in the reintegration of juvenile offenders back into society.
KU’s Dr Farah Iqbal stressed upon the importance of psychological counseling for the children during the period of probation. She was of the belief that the children needed to be properly counseled and assisted when they were being reintegrated into society’s fold. “Mental strength, self-awareness and self-confidence are few ingredients that only psychological counseling can provide. Without such support, there are more chances of relapse,” elaborated the psychologist.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 4th, 2013.