ISLAMABAD, Sep 28 (APP): A meeting of Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights was held here at Parliament House on Thursday with Senator Walid Iqbal in the Chair.
The Senate Committee deliberated on the unfortunate death of nine-year-old girl in Ranipur, who was working as a minor housemaid and allegedly subjected to torture and sexual absue. Secretary Human Rights apprised that the unholy incident occurred on 16th August and the accused were arrested on the same day.
He suggested that Sindh Child Prohibition Employment Act needed to amended as it lacks provisions for the prevention of Child domestic labour and, an inspection mechanism should also be put in place for the effective monitoring of child domestic abuse and most importantly there is a dire need of uniformity in definition of child all across the country.
The Committee maintained that there were rumors of alleged tampering with DNA samples. The officials refuted the allegations and stated that the samples were first sent to Jamshoro and Karachi Institute but due to the non-availability of required technology and the sensitivity of the incident, the samples were sent to Lahore and its DNA report would come forward in the next few days.
The Committee lamented the Sindh Police officials for delaying the DNA report for so long.
Senator Walid Iqbal remarked that the tampering of evidence was the major cause resulting in averting of punishment in around 78 percent of criminal cases.
Ayesha Raza Farooq, Chairperson National Commission on the Rights of Child, highlighted that a letter was written to Sindh Child Protection Authority about the rumors of having other minor children in captivity at the same haveli, however, the Sindh Child Protection Authority failed to respond.
Secretary Social Welfare Sindh said that around eight young girls were rescued from the location. Besides that, one million Rupees compensation amount has also been given to the deceased family, he added.
Senator Walid Iqbal recommended all the four provinces to enact legislation for the prevention of child’s domestic abuse and made sure the certainty of justice in the child abuse cases
Furthermore, the Committee raised the illegal arrest of Pastor Victor and Ghazala in Jaranwala.
RPO Faisalabad apprised that Pastor Victor and Ghazala, the residents of Karachi, who came to Jaranwala to support his community and allegedly resisted the arrest of Alizar, wanted in blasphemy committed against his own religion and also inflicted pain on himself to secure attention. The Committee directed the RPO to submit the inquiry report before the committee once it is completed.
Moreover, the Senate body discussed the arrest of Imaan Mazari.
Senator Quratul Ain Marri raised questions on the manner of arrest and remarked that the police had turned the whole event into an eye witness account.
The DIG ICT Police said that police used the force after the refusal of compliance from the accused.
The Committee condemned the excessive use of force and directed the police to ensure the implementation of Article 14 of the Constitution.
The meeting was attended by Senators Prof. Dr. Mehr Taj Roghani, Dr. Mohammad Humayun Mohmand, Qurat Ain Marri, Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Muhammad Tahir Bizinjo, Irfan ul Haq Siddiqui, Falak Naz, Syed Waqar Mehdi, Secretary Ministry of Human Rights Allah Dino Khowaja, Chairperson National Commission on the Rights of Child Ayesha Raza Farooq, senior officers of Punjab Police,Sindh Police and other relevant departments.
