Child rights : ‘Collective efforts to ensure success’
Representatives of civil society organisations, head of Children’s Complaint Office discuss the issue of child rights.
ISLAMABAD:
Representatives of civil society organisations met with the head of Children’s Complaint Office (CCO) on Monday to discuss the issue of child rights.
The meeting was attended by senior officials of the British Council, Children Global Network, SHARP, Fazaldad Human Rights Institute
and Sahil.
CCO head Ejaz Ahmed Qureshi briefed the participants about various problems being faced by children. The members of the meeting talked about formulating a proper strategy to ensure implementation of laws which would cater to these rights. “We recognise that strengthening the child protection mechanism is a process that requires the involvement of various stakeholders,” said Qureshi.
He said schools in most part of the country were in a dilapidated condition, whereas in some areas they were being used for private purposes. Qureshi said, “Just like on this Eid, educational institutions were reportedly used as slaughterhouses. With the help of the media, these issues come to notice.”
CCO took action over these reports and Ministry of Education was directed to take notice of these issues.
“The complaint cell of Wafaqi Mohtasib has the right to take suo motu action against any such violations, but there are some limitations of the cell,” Qureshi said.
Adding that the superior court had constitutional powers, but even then there were many examples in which court’s orders were defied. “There are many instances in which the court had failed to execute rulings,” he said.
Briefing about the works of CCO, Ejaz Ahmed Qureshi said that it was not only responsible for monitoring Pakistan’s compliance to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, but also received and resolved complaints about children. Maladministration or negligence on part of federal agencies with regard to children is also addressed by the CCO.
Thereon, prominent CSOs working on child rights’ issues discussed policy matters, shared constraints and proposed recommendations. The representatives called for collective effort for effective implementation of National Plan of Action (NPA) and baseline studies.
The meeting introduced the CCO to civil society representatives and provided a platform for the latter to voice their concerns on child rights and implementation of the UNCRC.
All CSOs were determined to promote awareness about the CCO and the UNCRC. Furthermore, innovative ideas to propagate child rights, and bring new partners on board, from within the government and related organisations were discussed.
“It is important to consider what we as parents, teachers, officials or journalists can do more to make sure that all children have equal access to their basic rights and can live a life free from exploitation,” said Qureshi.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 30th, 2010.
Representatives of civil society organisations met with the head of Children’s Complaint Office (CCO) on Monday to discuss the issue of child rights.
The meeting was attended by senior officials of the British Council, Children Global Network, SHARP, Fazaldad Human Rights Institute
and Sahil.
CCO head Ejaz Ahmed Qureshi briefed the participants about various problems being faced by children. The members of the meeting talked about formulating a proper strategy to ensure implementation of laws which would cater to these rights. “We recognise that strengthening the child protection mechanism is a process that requires the involvement of various stakeholders,” said Qureshi.
He said schools in most part of the country were in a dilapidated condition, whereas in some areas they were being used for private purposes. Qureshi said, “Just like on this Eid, educational institutions were reportedly used as slaughterhouses. With the help of the media, these issues come to notice.”
CCO took action over these reports and Ministry of Education was directed to take notice of these issues.
“The complaint cell of Wafaqi Mohtasib has the right to take suo motu action against any such violations, but there are some limitations of the cell,” Qureshi said.
Adding that the superior court had constitutional powers, but even then there were many examples in which court’s orders were defied. “There are many instances in which the court had failed to execute rulings,” he said.
Briefing about the works of CCO, Ejaz Ahmed Qureshi said that it was not only responsible for monitoring Pakistan’s compliance to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, but also received and resolved complaints about children. Maladministration or negligence on part of federal agencies with regard to children is also addressed by the CCO.
Thereon, prominent CSOs working on child rights’ issues discussed policy matters, shared constraints and proposed recommendations. The representatives called for collective effort for effective implementation of National Plan of Action (NPA) and baseline studies.
The meeting introduced the CCO to civil society representatives and provided a platform for the latter to voice their concerns on child rights and implementation of the UNCRC.
All CSOs were determined to promote awareness about the CCO and the UNCRC. Furthermore, innovative ideas to propagate child rights, and bring new partners on board, from within the government and related organisations were discussed.
“It is important to consider what we as parents, teachers, officials or journalists can do more to make sure that all children have equal access to their basic rights and can live a life free from exploitation,” said Qureshi.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 30th, 2010.