Acid Control and Acid Crime: ASF demands legislation on Bangladesh model

Welcoming the passage of Acid Control and Acid Crime Prevention Bill, 2010, Acid Survivors Foundation (ASF) and Civil Society Tuesday demanded of the Parliament to adopt a comprehensive legislation following Bangladeshi model.
Valerie Khan Yousafzai of ASF flanked by Dr Fouzia Saeed, Zaigham Khan and Imtiaz Ahmed speaking at news conference called for early legislation on the proposed Acid and Burn Crimes Act 2011 that was drafted in the light of the Supreme Court of Pakistan orders.
She called upon the legislators to pass a comprehensive law to eradicate crimes involving acid throwing and others burn attacks and provide support to victims of such crimes. She welcomed amendment in the Pakistani Penal Code adopted by the National Assembly to enhance punishment for acid crimes. Terming it a significant achievement, she said. "It acknowledges the gravity of acid crimes and enhances punishment for acid", adding the bill was not enough to eradicate acid crimes from Pakistan.
Valerie Khan said that the government and law makers need to follow the example of Bangladesh where number of acid throwing incidents dropped from 500 in 1998 to 60 a year more recently because of effective legislation and improved compliance.
About the recent approved Acid Control and Acid Crime Prevention Bill, 2010, she said the current amendment does not address the investigation process that often faces delay and is biased against survivors and their families. She said there is need to make investigation and police officer accountable and ensure protection to victims and witness through law. She further said length of trial also needs to be fixed and accountability should be set in case of an unfair trial.
She stressed the need for setting up authority or a forum to support victims in medical treatment, socio-economic rehabilitation and legal support, besides collecting and maintaining data and establishing an appropriate surveillance/funding system that facilitate implementation, awareness and preventive steps. She called for early legislation of the proposed Acid and Burn Crimes Act 2011 after extensive process of stakeholders' consultation involving civil-society, legal and medical experts, local communities, law enforcement agencies, international organisations, media and survivors.
Fouzia Saeed, a representative of National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) said that after 18th constitutional amendment, now the provinces are more empowered to legislate on issues related to women and human rights. She hoped that provinces would take interest in streamlining the legislation to address the needs of women.
Zaigham Khan was of the view that acid throwing was a most heinous crime even if compared to murder. He said survivors (acid victims) get separated, physically, mentally, psychologically and socially. He emphasised to create awareness among people to provide safety to victims.
Imtiaz Ahmed said fifty percent children were the survivors (victims), adding 25 percent are girls and fifty percent boys. He deplored that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government has not done legislation, in this regard. He informed that KP government has introduced legislation regarding child protection. He asked all provinces for legislation and implementation.