LAHORE
Punjab government must immediately take legislative and administrative measures for implementation of Juvenile Justice System Ordinance 2000 to provide legal assistance to the accused or victim child on the expense of state, to establish exclusive juvenile courts in Punjab and for separate trial of children in anti-terrorism courts without further delay. This was demanded by an NGO in a press conference at Lahore Press Club on Tuesday.
The NGO appreciated the steps taken for better protection of the rights of children in conflict with law reflected in the recent legislative amendment about raising minimum age for criminal responsibility to 10 years. It also appreciated the fact that the federal government is considering a new legislation on JJS in order to introduce new safeguards and protections for children in conflict with law. Effective implementation of the JJSO 2000 and other related laws can be an effective tool in reducing the number of children in prisons.” said Ms Nabila Feroz Bhatti, liaison officer of the NGO. Ch Waheed Ahmad Advocate, Chairman Child Rights Committee Lahore Bar Association described, “The most significant aspect of this law is the establishment of exclusive juvenile courts for the trial of cases of children in conflict with law. But till date no juvenile court has been established by any provincial government throughout Pakistan.”
Qamar Hanif Advocate, a representative of an aid cell, added, “As a temporary arrangement, High Court has conferred powers of juvenile courts on different grades of ordinary courts but that is not effective. Currently more than 85 per cent of the juveniles are under trial. Most of them are in detention for more than six months”.
Ansar Sajjad Bhatti, a coordinator of an NGO, emphasised: “Article 5 of the JJSO prohibits the joint trial of children and adults. Furthermore when juveniles are tried by special terrorist courts, the procedures do not fully comply with internationally agreed fair trial standards”.
Ms Mamoona Tahir, an advocacy officer of an NGO, said: “Most provisions of the JJSO are at the best partially implemented. The JJSO has not been extended to large areas of the country where children are trilled and held under laws that entirely ignore the specific rights and needs of children”.
equal rights: Equal rights according to the constitution of Pakistan and verdict of Supreme Court of Pakistan must be ensured to eunuchs and affirmative action be taken to eradicate violence and all other criminal offences against them. This was demanded during a protest demonstration held on Tuesday at Liberty Roundabout against problems faced by eunuchs. During the demonstration, civil society activists called for practical measures to give eunuchs equal rights and status in society and state institutions. The protesters said an inquiry committee should be formed that could investigate impartially into the all discrimination and criminal offences against eunuchs.