Wonderful step taken by Jamali Govt.
I hope, they take care of women, who have been beating to death by Unjustice Panchyaat System; and over all protect the rights of each individual of any race, religion and culture.
LAHORE, Jan 2 (OWSA) - Following a decision to introduce human rights education in schools, the government in the south Asian country of Pakistan formed a 20 member Commission for Human Rights Wednesday, to curb spiraling abuse and transform attitudes.
Established by Pakistan’s newly installed Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali, the Commission comprises members of Parliament (MP’s) from a wide spectrum of political parties, in addition to legislators from the country’s semi-autonomous tribal areas.
Outlining the Commission’s aims and objectives, Chairman Riaz Fatyana said, **" It will address the violation of human rights in Pakistan and mobilize and motivate parliamentarians to enact laws for the protection of the basic rights of all citizens." **
He added that, **" It will assist and lead government for good governance, sustainable social development and protection of the political, social, cultural, economic and civil rights of the people of Pakistan." **
Fatyana outlined the Commission’s wide-ranging agenda–to strive for the elimination of poverty, child labor, violence against women, protect the rights of minorities, youth, senior citizens, prisoners, laborers and farmers and arrest human rights violations by public service departments like the police.
" We will try to provide fair and prompt justice," Fatyana stated, “The MPs will work to ensure right to information and other rights of the media.”
The government’s wide-ranging initiative was prompted by alarming data from private rights group, the Lawyers for Human Rights and Legal Aid, which alleged that Pakistan had violated the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It specified that the country recorded more than 3,296 crimes against women in 2002 as compared to 2,917 in 2001. The group said during the same period 1506 children were abused both physically and sexually, 580 murdered, 637 raped, 60 tortured and 193 injured.
In its 2002 report, The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan had described the country’s human rights situation as ‘bleak’.
The Commission comes close on the heels of another significant decision. Last month, the government announced that Human Rights Education (HRE) would shortly be introduced in the school curriculum to bring about an attitudinal change and eradicate religious bigotry, cultural intolerance and gender biases.
Accordingly, the Education Ministry’s curriculum wing has started work on an ambitious project christened the National Plan of Action for Human Rights Education in collaboration with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the International Labor Organization.
While incorporating HRE in school syllabi, the plan stresses the need to create awareness about it among policy makers, educational administrators, curriculum developers, teachers and students. Said Federal Education Minister Zobaida Jalal, **“Islam places great emphasis on fulfillment of our duties and obligations towards other people. Education about human rights is essential to reduce violations and establish a free, just and peaceful society.” **
Federal Education Secretary Tariq Farook elaborated that under the envisaged plan, orientation and training in HRE would also be imparted to schoolteachers. The education ministry’s curriculum wing is developing a network of human rights resource persons to promote HRE across the country.
However, former educationist Abdul Hamid cautioned, **" Much depends on how this educational campaign is planned and handled. There is a need to inculcate basic values of tolerance and respect for humanity right from childhood as currently our textbooks, television, cinema and many preachers of intolerance are spreading the virus of hatred. But it is not clear whether the government plans to tackle all these to reach the root of the problem or whether it will restrict the campaign to high-minded messages in books." **