practice guidelines.
It has been designed for police officers who have scant or no knowledge of fundamental human rights, as well as for trainers who can orient, educate and train police officials of all cadres, particularly assistant sub-inspectors and sub-inspectors. It might be incorporated in upper school as well as the intermediate school courses.
Additionally, it might be conducted as a short course in districts for assistant sub-inspectors and sub-inspectors.
The trainers will implement the standards while performing their day-to-day duties in the field
To facilitate a better understanding of the subject, human rights have been described along with their origins and the various instruments that they are derived from such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973. The domestic legal framework that protects these rights in the country has been discussed in detail along with laws and case studies.
“The module aims at introducing and promoting a human rights-based approach in policing,” the official said.
“Its objective is to produce trained cadres of police officials so that they can serve and protect every individual in the community in accordance with the constitution, the law and the international standards of human rights,” he added.
“It is imperative for police officials to know about human rights standards, values and practices, since they hold a vital position in society and are charged with the responsibility of protecting the rights of all members without discrimination.”
The provincial police department has initiated various approaches like community policing, establishment of the 15 Madadgar helpline, women police stations and human rights cell in the province.
The DIG said although the module had been prepared for police officials, but it could be used by organisers of training workshops and trainers, ministries that developed policies and laws in relation to human rights, inter-governmental organisations and academic institutions, resource centres with interest in police reforms and other stakeholders within the human rights justice system including magistrates, lawyers, social workers, probation officers, judges and the staff of juvenile justice institutions (remand homes, detention centres, human rights cell etc.).