KARACHI: The Department of Human Rights, Government of Sindh, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two legal aid organizations for legal empowerment and legal support of victims of human rights violations in the province of Sindh.
The two organizations will also create awareness and engage with multi-stakeholders and line departments. The two organizations included Legal Aid Society (LAS) and Pakistan Legal United Society (PLUS) who are already engaged in the legal advisory services and have experience in the field of legal empowerment and working with government departments.
The MoU was signed by Ms. Noreen Bashir, Secretary of, the Human Rights Department on behalf of the department and Ms. Barrister Haya Zahid Eman and Mr. Altaf Khosos on behalf of LAS and PLUS respectively.
While commenting on this development Mr. Surendar Valasai, Special Assistant to Sindh Chief Minister on Human Rights Department said that his department has achieved yet another milestone as legal support to victims of human rights violations was crucial. “We are determined to work with all stakeholders for the greater cause of promotion and protection of human rights,” he added. “Our aim is to extend all required support and services to victims and this new partnership will further strengthen our ongoing work.”
The legal support and empowerment would specifically cover women’s rights including domestic violence, torture, divorce, custody of children, maintenance, rape, murder etc.; cases of child abuse; minority rights including physical violence, attacks on places of worship etc.; and general violations of Human Rights including the right to a fair trial; Cyber Harassment and Labour Rights including retrenchments and non-payment of wages etc.).
The HRD Secretary said that the department would work together with Department’s Vigilance Committees, Independent Commissions, Police, Line departments, Civil Society and charities like Edhi Foundation to improve the human rights situation in the province.