Daily Times

The members of the UN are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of Child (CRC). States around the world have ratified this landmark convention with a pledge to provide civil, political, economic, social, health and cultural rights to children. As we set out to mark the 30th anniversary of the CRC, there is a need for introspection vis-à-vis progress made so far; the need to identify gaps as well as measures to ensure the protection of the most vulnerable segment of society.

Now that Pakistan is to submit its 30-years report to the UNGA, the progress on this front is questionable. Pakistan ratified this convention in the year 1990 during the premiership of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. Unfortunately, since then, we have witnessed all sorts of crimes being perpetrated against children. According to the 2018 findings of child rights NGO Sahil, 3,832 cases of child abuse were reported in 2018, with 51 per cent of the cases involving female children and 49 per cent male children. This is an 11 per cent increase as compared to 2017. Shockingly, these figures are of the reported cases, and the number of unreported cases may be far greater. Here, the situation begs a serious question whether the ratification and subsequent legislation introduced in the parliament and the provincial assemblies have accrued any fruitful results for the protection of children. If the answer is in positive, why have the cases increased instead of decreasing? This can surely be interpreted as for the sake of credit. We have introduced laws one after the other. Nonetheless, from the implementation point-of-view, we are at the pre-CRC ratification stage.

Several laws are in a dormant state, thereby, making our children more vulnerable to all sorts of abuses. After the 18th amendment, the social welfare department, under whose jurisdiction lies subject of children, was devolved. Thereafter, the provinces introduced remarkable legislations such as Child Protection Authority Act; Prohibition of Employment of Children Act; Child Marriage Restraint Act; Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act; HIV and Aids Control Treatment and Protection Act, etc. Notwithstanding the passage of these laws from the respective assemblies, hardly any act is fully functional, thus, rendering these laws ineffective and infringement of the rights of the children. Resultantly, that dormancy is in contravention to the country’s pledges as enshrined in the CRC.

Ironically, we have developed a tendency to take action after media sensationalism which stirs the public outcry. Take the case of seven-year-old rape and murder victim Zainab Ansari. After the issue was highlighted by mainstream media, public furore intensified and the entire government machinery was busy to capture the perpetrator and they did it, which is commendable. Moreover, the case was tried in the Anti-Terrorism Court, to swiftly conclude the case. This case was dealt with on a high priority basis under public pressure. Same high priority status was accorded to the cases of Sahiwal victims’ killed by CTD (though accused recently released), Namrita’s mysterious murder or suicide, Salahuddin’s custodial death, etc. Despite the fact time and again such cases are reported, a comprehensive action plan remains missing and only highlighted cases are prioritised and swiftly adjudicated. This inclination reflects that instead of an institution’s capacity building, they have been trained to work in case public hue and cry compel to do so!

We have introduced laws one after the other. Nonetheless, from the implementation point-of-view, we are at the pre-CRC ratification stage

Infringement of human rights is prevalent. Be that as it may, the negligence in the protection of child rights is a matter of serious concern as they are the most vulnerable section of society. As many as 22 million school-going age children out of school; 40 per cent children under five stunted and 17 per cent are suffering from wasting. As per Sahil NGO, over 10 children suffer from some form of abuse every day in Pakistan. Children marriages are very prevalent. The HIV epidemic has largely hit children mostly under five while the child labour is widespread.

Pakistan will be presenting to the UNGA on the eve of the 30th anniversary of the CRC that children-specific issues of today’s Pakistan are as old as the convention itself. Can we be serious to take plausible steps for ensuring implementation of the CRC and take the ownership of the convention as our agenda, not thrust upon us by INGOs/UN?

There is an urgent need to remove all the difficulties in case if any arises in giving effect to the legislation, policies or any other mechanism concerning child rights. The CRC must be incorporated in legislation, and the relevant laws are given high priority without further delay. It is of paramount importance to make Child Protection Authorities fully functional on a war-footing basis. There is also a need to develop a comprehensive mechanism for dealing with the menace of child abuse such as integrated facility if a child abduction case is reported anywhere, it may be disseminated to all the police stations, child protection authorities and relevant line departments, which should be making all-out efforts for the safety, recovery and rehabilitation of the abducted child.

Zainab Alert, Response and Recovery Agency (ZARRA), 2019, is also a vital step in this regard. It is expected that ZARRA would not meet the same fate as other child protection dormant laws. The answer to this simple question can help us resolve the issues of child vulnerabilities: can we be sincere in protecting our children?

The writer is a development sector practitioner