SHRC chief calls for creating awareness about human rights

HYDERABAD: Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC) Chairperson Iqbal Ahmed Detho has underscored the critical importance of equipping youth with knowledge about their fundamental and human rights.

Speaking at a training workshop organised by the Civil Society Support Program (CSSP) at a hotel in Hyderabad, he said such awareness sessions were essential for the young people for becoming well-informed and engaged citizens.

During the session, Detho addressed global religious issues, particularly in the context of minorities and indigenous people, and provided insight into how these issues were addressed worldwide.

He also highlighted the progress made by the Sindh government with the Hindu Marriage Act.

The SHRC chairperson discussed the structure of the Constitution, including the framework for local government and legislative powers of the federal and provincial government.

Stressing the role of youth, he said they were a vital national asset.

According to the Sindh Youth Policy 2018, it was crucial for the young people to be aware of their economic, social and political rights, he remarked, adding that the SHRC was actively engaged in addressing human rights violations and ensuring compliance with human rights laws.

Detho said the commission was working to enhance awareness through various initiatives, including the establishment of its centres at the Nusrat Bhutto University Sukkur and five other universities across the province.

The SHRC’s future plans included organising a youth convention and a five-day winter school course on human rights focusing on fundamental rights and laws to prevent human rights violations, he said.

He was of the view that the Sindh Human Rights Policy was a testament to the SHRC’s efforts for the promotion of human rights.

He reaffirmed that every citizen was entitled to fundamental rights under the Constitution of Pakistan, and provided detailed information about laws designed to prevent child marriages, violence against children and women, and sexual abuse.

Sarfraz Jamali, incharge of the complaints cell at the SHRC, explained the procedure for submitting complaints related to fundamental rights violations and emphasised the importance of advocating for human rights protection.

During the training workshop, Abdul Wahid Sangrasi from the CSSP outlined the programme’s primary objective of educating youths about fundamental human rights, provincial and federal human rights laws, and the role of the SHRC.