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NA passes National Human Rights Commission bill

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Advisor to the Prime Minister on Human Rights presented the National Commission for Human Rights Bill, 2011 in the National Assembly.

The bill envisages the Federal government shall constitute the Commission, headed by the Chairperson who shall be a person qualified to be appointed as judge of the Supreme Court or High Court with known interest and experience in the filed of human rights.

The commission consists of Chairperson appointed for four years, one member from each province, Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA), Gilgit-Baltistan, Islamabad Capital Territory, two members from minority communities and Secretary, who shall be appointed by the Federal government and shall be a person qualified to be appointed as Federal Secretary. The commission will also include three female members.

A member shall not be less than thirty years of age and shall be known for knowledge and experience in human rights. Headquarter of the commission will be in the Islamabad and it may establish its offices at all provincial headquarters and at such others place it may consider appropriate.

The Chairperson and other member shall be appointed by the President on advice of the Prime Minister. For each vacancy of chairperson or member, the federal government shall, after consultation with relevant stakeholders in fair and transparent manner, recommend and submit to the Prime Minister three names.

The function and power of the commission include inquire into, suo-moto or on a petition submitted by a victim or any person on his behalf into complaint of violation of human rights.

To make an application to the court for becoming a party in any proceeding involving any allegation of violation of human rights pending before a court with the approval of such court.

The members of the Commission will visit any jail or any other institution under the control of the government where convicts or under trial prisoners are serving their sentences.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011