Government institution demanded for protecting children’s rights

Protesters in front of the Press Club raise slogans against gender discrimination.

LAHORE: The protection of the rights of the children can be ensured through necessary amendments in the existing laws. This was the upshot of a symposium held at the Children’s Hospital on Tuesday where protection of the rights of children was discussed.

The symposium was organised by the Children Complaints Office of the Punjab Ombudsman in collaboration with the Unicef and Pehchan, a non-governmental organization.

Shughfta Bhatti, a child protection specialist at Unicef, appreciated the Children Complaints Office saying that is was a great initiative by the Punjab Ombudsman.

The speakers agreed that there was a need for an institution on government level where such problems could be effectively addressed.

Prof Harenda De Silva, a SriLankan speaker said, “There are already many laws regarding children’s rights but their proper implementation remains a question.”

Seminar on human rights

The Kawish Resource Centre in collaboration with the Volunteer Services Overseas (VSO) hosted a seminar on human rights in the Press Club. Representatives from various religious groups attended the seminar.

George Bhatti, Advocate Naseer Bhatti, Sabohi Khan from the VSO, Harjeet Singh and Ashiq Bhagat from the Nankana Sahib Committee were prominent among speakers. The speakers talked about ways that can be adopted to protect human rights.

They said that the Constitution must protect the rights of the people. The state and the citizens both had responsibilities and if both were aware of their responsibilities and committed to fulfilling them, the human rights issues would be resolved.

George Bhatti said that no religion promoted or appreciated violence. He said that it was the media’s responsibility to bring about changes in the social structures.  The speakers said that it was very important for the citizens to be aware of their rights. They suggested that everybody should raise voice against attacks on human rights because that was the only way such violations can be ended.

Asif Sardar, the Kawsish Resource Centre director said, “We provide a platform for change for the better. We are determined to change the society by playing our role.”

Demonstration

Centre for Human Rights Education in Collaboration with Taraqqee Theatre for Social Change staged a protest against gender discrimination in education and law. The rally started in front of the Lahore Press Club at around 3 pm.

Adults as well as children carried placards and raised slogans about equal opportunities of education for women. They demanded that education should be declared necessary for all citizens regardless of their gender.

They said that the government should reserve more seats for women at educational institutions. Samson Salamat, the Centre for Human Rights Education director, said, “We are all born free. There should be no discrimination in education, law and policies on the basis of gender.”

Similar demonstrations were staged in Dadu, Mirpur Khas, Multan, Toba Tek Singh, Sargodha, Kasur and Thatta.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 8^th, 2010.