Rowdy cops in for a dose of human rights lessons
Karachi: Given the tainted reputation of province’s cops for violating the fundamental rights of individuals, the police department has developed module focusing on human rights for them.
In recent years, the demand for policing within the ambit of human rights has increased exponentially as the media has highlighted cases where human rights were violated and the incidents invited public wrath and resentment.
These violations committed by police, whether in the form of unlawful arrests and detentions, inhumane treatment, torture for extorting confessions, extra-judicial killings, custodial deaths or enforced disappearances, have not only cast aspersions on cops but also given them the reputation of being violators, rather than the protectors, of human rights.
“Being silent spectators during episodes of public lynching of criminals or gang rape ordered by unlawful tribal courts or the complacency or complicity of cops has tarnished the entire image of the police department as a custodian of the rule of law,” DIG Abdul Khalique Sheikh told The News.
“It is in that context that this module has been developed. We have carefully taken into consideration the present state of awareness of human rights in the police department that has, since its colonial inception, inherited a legacy of addressing issues by unfettered display of authority as a force rather than a professional entity in the service of the people,” he added.
The module, for which former IGP Niaz Ahmed Siddiki and provincial child rights manager Iqbal Ahmed Detho are major contributors, will inform officers about the international standards of human rights; their related provisions in domestic laws, common infringements and the nature and forms of violations. The module lays stress on police responsibilities in protecting human rights of victims, accused, witnesses and other common citizens. It also includes procedures, documentation, legal provisions and best practice guidelines.
It has been designed for police officers who have scant or no knowledge of fundamental human rights, as well as for trainers who can orient, educate and train police officials of all cadres, particularly assistant sub-inspectors and sub-inspectors. It might be incorporated in upper school as well as the intermediate school courses.
Additionally, it might be conducted as a short course in districts for assistant sub-inspectors and sub-inspectors.
The trainers will implement the standards while performing their day-to-day duties in the field
To facilitate a better understanding of the subject, human rights have been described along with their origins and the various instruments that they are derived from such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973. The domestic legal framework that protects these rights in the country has been discussed in detail along with laws and case studies.
“The module aims at introducing and promoting a human rights-based approach in policing,” the official said.
“Its objective is to produce trained cadres of police officials so that they can serve and protect every individual in the community in accordance with the constitution, the law and the international standards of human rights,” he added.
“It is imperative for police officials to know about human rights standards, values and practices, since they hold a vital position in society and are charged with the responsibility of protecting the rights of all members without discrimination.”
The provincial police department has initiated various approaches like community policing, establishment of the 15 Madadgar helpline, women police stations and human rights cell in the province.
The DIG said although the module had been prepared for police officials, but it could be used by organisers of training workshops and trainers, ministries that developed policies and laws in relation to human rights, inter-governmental organisations and academic institutions, resource centres with interest in police reforms and other stakeholders within the human rights justice system including magistrates, lawyers, social workers, probation officers, judges and the staff of juvenile justice institutions (remand homes, detention centres, human rights cell etc.).
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