HRCP welcomes govt response, stands by findings.

ISLAMABAD -- The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), while welcoming the response of the Ministry of Human Rights to its annual report, has claimed that all positive steps taken by the government have been mentioned in the report titled State of Human Rights in Pakistan in 2019.

In a statement on Sunday, the commission said the ministry's response recognises that the HRCP has raised some pertinent issues. This augurs well for a constructive engagement between the government and independent human rights bodies.

The Ministry of Human Rights claimed that the HRCP, in its annual report, had overlooked major steps taken last year for securing and safeguarding the rights of vulnerable groups.

The ministry said that the HRCP report accurately cited an alarmingly high number of cases of violence against women and children. However, it did not account for the important institutional and legislative measures taken to safeguard and promote their rights.

This includes the Zainab Alert, Response and Recovery Act, 2020, which was introduced in the parliament in 2019, and the National Action Plan against Child Abuse that has been prepared by the ministry and submitted to the Prime Minister Office.

The ministry claimed that a number of other important steps had also been taken towards criminalisation of domestic violence and awareness campaigns on the issue in the media.

The ministry said the previous year had featured some important progress with regard to the rights of prisoners. In 2019, the...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT