Islamabad, December 24, 2018 (PPI-OT): Federal Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen M Mazari was Chief Guest at the Seminar on Child Protection: Issues, Solutions and Opportunities, organised by Society for the Protection of the Rights of the Children (SPARC) in collaboration with Child Protection Movement (CRM), in Islamabad this afternoon. Speaking at the seminar, Dr Shireen M Mazari said that although Child Protection is the responsibility of the state yet the family has a very important role to play in this regard. Parents should educate their children. To sensitize parents and children the Ministry of Human Rights is going to start an awareness media campaign, she told.
The Minister mentioned that the Ministry of Human Rights is bringing Zainab Alert Bill to pre-empt any child abuse incident. Moreover, the steps are also taken to address the issues like sexual abuse, child labour, child trafficking and those related to the refugee children. While mentioning Corporeal Punishment Bill, Juvenile Act, Islamabad Child Protection Act, Dr Mazari underscored the need of effective implementation of different legislations regarding Child Protection.
“We are the signatory of many international conventions. Hence it is our responsibility to implement those in true letter and spirit” she added. Referring to Citizenship Act 1951, the Minister said that every child born in our country should have the right citizenship of Pakistan. Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari also referred to the steps taken by the Ministry of Human Rights for the protection of vulnerable section of society including women, children and transgender.
She also highlighted the steps taken by the incumbent government to ensure one basic curriculum for every school. While answering one of the questions regarding missing persons, the Minister said that the government categorically rejects forced disappearance as no democratic government can entertain this idea.
“We are taking all stakeholders on board to ensure that if anyone commits a crime, the due process of law must be followed. Forced disappearances are not in the interest of the state as these are leading to polarize the society “she said. The seminar was also addressed by Mr. Sajad Cheema, Executive Director SPARC, Dr. Anis Ahmad, Vice Chancellor Riphah International University, Dr. Hafiz Ikram-ul-Haq, Secretary Council of Islamic Ideology, Professor Dr. M.Zafar Iqbal, Mr. Mati Ullah, Ms. Maiza Hameed and Barrister M. Ali Saif.
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