Senate body passes Transplantation of Human Organs, Tissues (Amend) Bill, 2018

The Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice on Thursday passed the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues (Amendment) Bill, 2018, which would make it possible for people to donate organs.

The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Senator Muhammad Javed Abbasi here and discussed nine bills, out of which five were passed, two were rejected and two others would be further discussed in upcoming meetings.

"The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues (Amendment) Bill, 2018" was moved by Senator Mohammad Ateeq.

It suggests CNICs should indicate if a person is an organ donor. The Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues (Amendment) Bill, 2018 after gaining consensus from the government, all stakeholders and members of the committee was passed.

This bill was earlier passed by the Senate Standing Committee on National Health and Services.

According to the objectives of the bill, there are so many accidental deaths while driving motor vehicles. During such deaths human body is mutilated, injured or damaged in such form that sanctity of human corpse like natural death is not possible and even routine rituals are also not performed.

However, most of human organs or tissues are still active even after clinical death and some of such human organs or tissues may be transplanted to persons in need of such human organs or tissues.

Such donation may give a new lease of life of person in need of such human organs or tissues.

Therefore, there is a need to make a provision in CNIC to facilitate the donation of human organs or tissues in case of accidental death.

The CNIC may have a code displaying the words "Organ Donor" in red.

The bill seeks to achieve these aims and objects.

The committee discussed five private members bills. The Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2018 (Amendment of Article 27) moved by Senator Mian Raza Rabbani was rejected by the vote of majority. The Ratification of Foreign Agreements by Parliament Bill, 2018, moved by Senator Mian Raza Rabbani was also rejected by majority vote. Both bills were also opposed by the government.

The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2019 (insertion of Article 253A), moved by Senator Mushtaq and The Constitution (Amendment) Bill, 2019 (Amendment of Articles 213 and 215), moved by Senator Abdul Qayyum were discussed extensively and for further deliberations were deferred till the next meeting.

Four government bills including The Legal Aid and Justice Authority Bill, 2020, The Superior Courts (Courts Dress and Mode of Address) Order (Repeal) Bill, 2020, The Enforcement of Women's Property Rights Bill, 2020, and The Code of Civil Procedure (Amendment) Bill, 2018 were discussed in the meeting. The Legal Aid and Justice Authority Bill, 2020 was passed after including the provision of inclusion of two members from Parliament one each from House in the board of the authority.

The objective of this bill is to establish a legal and institutional framework to promote access to justice by providing affordable, accessible, sustainable, credible and accountable legal aid, financial or other services to the poor and vulnerable section of the society in criminal matters.

This will also help to promote legal awareness, education and public awareness of the legal aid system.

The bill gives priority to disadvantaged women and children, especially in matters of sexual offences.

Apart from the provision of legal aid, the bill also facilitates the extension of financial facilities such as provision of bail, fine and penalty amounts to the poor. The three other government bills were passed without any amendment.

According to the Enforcement of Women's Property Rights Bill, 2020, the rights of ownership of women in inheritance are violated usually by their family members by means of coercion, fraud, fabrication, forgery and cheating etc. lt is therefore, necessary to provide for an effective and speedy redressal mechanism to protect and secure the rights of ownership of women in the property.

Regarding the matter of sit in of the employees of the Estate Life Insurance Corporation for their demands raised, the committee was told by executive director of the corporation that a committee was formed to look into the matter and the recommendations were taken to the board. The board, however, did not agree to the proposals. The committee decided to call secretary commerce to the next meeting and also directed the executive director to share with the committee the minutes of the board meeting.

The meeting was attended among others by senators Abdul Qayyum, Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah, Ghous Niazi, Zeeshan Khanzada, Ateeq Shaikh, Siraj ul Haq, Sana Jamali, Mushtaq Ahmed, Secretary Law and Justice and officials from the ministry.