Rights Day: ‘Change social behaviours’

NHRC should be made an independent institution to monitor human rights abuses, says speakers.

FAISALABAD:

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) should be made an independent and autonomous institution to monitor human rights abuses and protect and promote human rights in the country, speakers at a rally held to mark International Human Rights Day on Thursday said.

The rally was organised by the Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation (AWAM), the Agency for Sustainable Development (ASDP), the Peace and Human Development (PHD Foundation) in collaboration the Human Rights Defenders Network Faisalabad, Adara Samaji Behbood (ASB) and Peace for Nation International (PNI). ASDP director Amina Zaman said the justice system should be strengthened and police investigations in cases of violence against women improved.

“The government should launch an overarching campaign on human rights. It should be aimed at having a deep impact and establishing a just and tolerant society,” she added.

AWAM director Nazia Sardar said that the government should prioritise recognition of unregistered women workers engaged in informal sectors as part of the labour force.

She said the government should ratify International Labour Organisation conventions on home-based workers and its implementation so that women could get access to social security benefits.

“Lady health workers and police workers must be protected because they put their lives at risk to save our futures generation from polio,” she said.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 12^th, 2014.