Daily Times

LAHORE: The Children Advocacy Network (CAN) Pakistan along with ActionAid, a leading policy and advocacy group working for promotion and protection of children’s rights, have urged the federal and provincial governments to set up an adequate mechanism for implementation recommendations of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

A consultative meeting, held at the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) office on Thursday, urged the government to implement concluding observations of the UNCRC. The session was organised by CAN-Pakistan in collaboration with ActionAid.

It was emphasised that the federal and provincial governments must take initiatives to introduce mechanism of coordination with sufficient authority and financial resources to work for implementation of child protection laws.

Earlier, the UNCRC considered fifth ‘Periodic Report of Pakistan’ at its meeting held on May 25, and adopted concluding observations in its meeting held on June 3.

Speaking on the occasion, HRCP Secretary General I A Rehman said that the UNCRC in its meeting held in May this year had recommended Pakistan to take all measures necessary to address human rights in general and children’s rights in particular. He said that the government must implement the committee recommendations to improve human rights situation in Pakistan.

Child rights activist Iftikhar Mubarik stressed the need to legislate positively in the areas of child labour and education. He expressed concern over delay in adoption of a number of bills in the area of children’s rights.

It was shared that the country did not take sufficient steps to harmonise its legislative framework with the convention findings, which has been further exacerbated by the 18th amendment. “Despite devolution of power, the federal government remains responsible for the implementation of children’s rights under the UNCRC throughout its territory,” he said.

The committee said that coordination among federal, provincial and territorial entities was weak and inadequately resourced. The committee recommended the federal government to adopt pending bills in the area of children’s rights in conformity with the convention findings. It also recommended the government to harmonise its legislation and regulations with the principles and provisions of the convention in all areas affecting children at federal, provincial and territorial levels.

Punjab Minister for Human Rights Khalil Tahir Sindhu said that the government was very much committed to safeguarding children’s rights. “We will take all policy and legislative measures to implement UNCRC observations and recommendations.

CAN Pakistan programme coordinator Rashida Qureshi shared a report on violence against children. The participants showed serious concern over lack of effective measures taken by the government to prevent child sexual abuse and exploitation, prosecute perpetrators and provide justice to the victims, who are often stigmatised by the society.

CAN Pakistan director legal Atif Adnan Khan urged the government to promote alternative measures of sentencing to detention, such as diversion, probation, mediation and counselling or community service. “Wherever possible, ensure that detention is used as a last resort and for the shortest possible period of time and that it is reviewed on a regular basis with a view to withdrawing it. In cases where detention (including pre-trial detention) is unavoidable, ensure that the children are not detained together with adults and that detention conditions are compliant with international standards, including with regard to access to education and health services.”

The committee stressed provision of free qualified and independent legal representation to children throughout all stages of the legal proceedings. The committee called upon the government to ensure development of programmes and policies for prevention, recovery and social reintegration of child victims, in accordance with the outcome documents adopted at the world congresses against commercial sexual exploitation of children.

It was urged to take appropriate measures to eradicate child labour, in particular the worst forms of child labour by addressing the root cause. The committee recommended the government to strengthen labour inspectorate by eradicating corruption and providing the labour inspectors with all necessary support including child labour expertise, with a view to enabling them to monitor effectively at the state and local levels.