Govt raised HR budget almost double for ensuring rights of people
ISLAMABAD: The government has increased budget of Ministry of Human Rights (MOHR) from Rs. 170 million in 2016-17 to Rs. 306 million for 2018-19 focusing on six development projects to ensure rights of the people at their doorstep.
Federal Minister for Human Rights, Mumtaz Ahmed Tarar addressing a media briefing shared that the government of Pakistan Muslim League (N) always endeavored to safeguard rights of people and ensure a conducive environment for masses to live a secure life with their own will.
For the purpose it has passed a number of legislations besides signing a number of international convention and treaties during their tenure for promotion of Human Rights in the country, the minister said.
He shared that the six projects included ‘Establishment of Establishment of National Institute of Human Rights (NIHR), Islamabad, Helpline for Legal Advice on Human Rights Violations, Islamabad, Acquisition of Land and Construction of Building for NIHR, Islamabad, Construction of Working Women Hostel, G-6/2 and G-7/2, Islamabad, Implementation of Action Plan for Human Rights in Pakistan and Institutional Strengthening of Ministry of Human Rights.
While the major legislation included Criminal Law (offences relating to Rape) Act, 2016, Criminal Law (offences relating to Honour Killing) Act, 2016, the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2016, (Child Protection): to criminalizes child exposure to seduction, child pornography, cruelty to a child, trafficking in human beings and child sexual abuse.
Besides that, the minister said, The National Commission on the Rights of the Child Act, 2017 promulgated which will examine existing laws relating to child and propose new legislations related to child rights.
The Hindu Marriage Act, 2017: the first personal law to regulate Hindu marriages, has also been promulgated to register marriages and to prohibit marriage of minors by prescribing the minimum age of eighteen years.
However, the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2018, to give them identity and secure their future for living a normal life like others.
Through an amendment in The National Commission on the Status of Women Act, 2018 was introduced so that the vacancy of Chairperson National Commission on Status of Women shall be filled within thirty days of occurrence of the vacancy, Mumtaz Tarar briefed.
The Women in Distress and Detention Fund (Amendment) Act, 2018 to operationalized the Fund for women in distress and detention.
Whereas The ICT Child Protection Act, 2018 and The Juvenile Justice System Act, 2018 were also passed.
The minister further stated that government has also ratified seven core conventions on human rights which are being implemented at federal and provincial level.
The Treaty Implementations Cells at national and provincial levels have been established to coordinate implantation. The mandatory reports on implementation of conventions prepared and successfully defended at relevant UN forums.
He shared that Pakistan has also ratified Optional Protocol of the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child of involvement of children in armed conflicts on 17th October, 2016 and its initial report will be submitted soon, the federal minister informed.
Besides that for ensuring the implementation of the laws, and convention, a national action plan was promulgated, while for creating awareness among masses, a number of seminars and public awareness campaigns were also conducted to apprise masses with their rights.
For strengthening of institutional mechanism, National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) was established with a broad mandate and powers to take suo-moto actions.
He further informed that a National Institute of Human Rights had been established at the cost of Rs. 58 million for capacity building, training, research and development has been approved; whereas Rs. 100 million Endowment Fund for Free Legal Aid for Poor Victims of Human Rights Violations, has also been created.