Federal, provincial governments urged to fulfil commitment on rights
LAHORE: Twelve rights based civil society organisations have strongly urged the Federal and Provincial governments to fulfil their commitments regarding peoples’ rights enshrined in the constitution of Pakistan.
After a consultation meeting in Lahore they demanded speedy process of establishing independent and autonomous Human Rights Institutions in accordance with the Paris Principles. “These steps are extremely necessary to upgrade the image of Pakistan and improve the deplorable human rights situation”, said the statement.
“We take a serious note of human rights violations by law enforcement agencies and militants at Karachi, FATA and Balochistan. “Necessary and immediate actions are needed to improve human rights conditions under the defined constitutional and legal framework.
“The statement underlined the need to take legislative and Administrative measures with regard to the sec-urity and protection of human rights defenders (journalists, lawyers and activi-sts) and remedy for the survivors.
The CSOs stressed to produce victims of forced disappearances in the court and prosecute culprits”. While appreciating the adoption of women and human rights friendly legislation (Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace 2010, Prevention of Anti Women Practices (Criminal Law Amendment) Act 2011 and The National Commission on the Status of Women 2012), the group emphasised that the Federal and Provincial governments, relevant departments and ministries should take rapid steps towards the implementation of these laws.
The CSOs also demanded passage of the pending Bill of Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection). The statement strongly recommended that the Provincial and Federal governments should introduce institutional mechanisms (Human Rights Commission, Provincial Commission on the Status of Women and Commission for Minorities) for the implementation and protection of human rights.
“We demand setting up NHRC immediately. Due representation of civil society and concerned sections should be ensured and it should be protected against political and executive influences.
Rights based CSOs also assured their support to the Federal and Provincial governments and relevant institutions to take comprehensive steps for resolving these issues. The statement further said that the civil society of Pakistan had a full appreciation of the difficulties of transitional phase of demo-cracy and it would oppose any disruption of political process.
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