NA body recommends HR commission bill
* Bill proposes creation of a National Commission on Human Rights to promote and protect human rights
ISLAMABAD: National Assembly’s (NA) Standing Committee on Human Rights, on Thursday, recommended National Commission for Human Rights Bill, 2008, including recommendations aimed at establishing an independent human rights commission.
Meeting of the committee was held with Mumtaz Alam Gilani in the chair, as Riaz Fatyana was absent.
Other members who attended the meeting included Jawad Hussain, Shakeela Khanum Rasheed, Fauzia Habib and Captain (r) Muhammad Safdar.
Ministry of Human Rights joint secretary briefed the committee on the background of National Commission for Human Rights Bill, 2008.
The joint secretary presented the bill with additional recommendations in the presence of Adviser to Prime Minister on Human Rights Mustafa Khokhar.
Earlier, a sub-committee was formed to finalise the recommendations. The sub-committee met on June 6 under the chairmanship of Dr Attiya Inayatullah and discussed these recommendations in detail.
Under input from the sub-committee, a government bill was prepared and thereafter developed by Justice (r) Riaz Kiyani and former minister for human rights Mian Raza Rabbani. The bill is now ready to be tabled in the National Assembly for approval with recommendations.
The National Commission for Human Rights Bill, 2008 proposes the creation of a National Commission on Human Rights for the purpose of promotion and protection of human rights as provided for in the constitution of Pakistan and various international instruments of the United Nations Human Rights Council to which Pakistan is a party. The commission will consist of a chairperson who has been a judge of the Supreme Court or a high court, possessing knowledge and expertise on human rights, one member from each province, Federally Administrated Tribal Areas, Gilgit-Baltistan and Islamabad Capital Territory, while two members from each minority community.
Members of the commission will not be less than 30 years of age and out of the total number, at least three will be women.
The commission will inquire into a petition submitted by a victim or any person on his behalf regarding violation of human rights. It will also be empowered to take suo moto notice on such a petition. The commission will have the authority to visit any jail or place of detention where persons are lodged for the purpose of treatment, reformation, protection or investigation to examine the living conditions of inmates.
Source: Daily Times
Date:7/1/2011
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