7,148 cases of HR violations reported last year

Islamabad: As many as 7,148 cases of Human Rights (HR) violations were reported during the last year (2015) across the country according to data compiled by Ministry of Human Rights (MOHR).

These cases are identified by media monitoring throughout the year of various heinous and other nature of crimes with the major figures of murder 3,116, an official of MOHR said. Other cases included 309 cases of target killing, 307 torture, 413 sexual assault and gang assault, 262 cases of Karokari honour killing, 163 extra judicial killings, 107 domestic violence cases, 90 acid attack, 58 missing persons, 16 sexual harassment, and 14 killing in police custody, while 1,570 other cases are reported during this time span, he told APP.

He informed the basic function of Ministry of Human Rights is to monitor Human Rights situation in the country. The cases of Human Rights violations identified by the Ministry of Human Rights through electronic and print media monitoring and direct complaints received in the ministry during the year all these cases have been taken up by the ministry with the concerned authorities for their redressal as per law, he stated.

The Ministry of Human Rights is committed to ensure Fundamental Human Rights of its citizens as envisaged under the Constitution as well as international commitments by adopting all possible measures to ensure protection and promotion of such rights, he further added.

However, despite various positive efforts at Federal and Provincial level violations of human Rights do take place. In this context responsibility of the governments both at Federal and Provincial levels has increased manifold. At federal level Ministry of Human Rights is entrusted with the task of protection of fundamental human rights for which the ministry has taken major steps to safeguard rights of the people at their door steps.

For the purpose an Action Plan for Human Rights approved by the Prime Minister of Pakistan on February 13 during the current year which is being implemented. An amount of Rs750 million has been approved to put in place institutional mechanisms for realising the rights proposed in the Action Plan which includes an amount of Rs400 million for human rights education, sensitization, awareness raising, research and communication. It also included Rs250 million for establishment of National Institute of Human Rights for capacity building training research and development and Rs100 million Endowment Fund for Free Legal Aid for Poor Victims of Human Rights Violations.

A project titled ‘Helpline 1099’ for legal advice to the victims of human rights violations has been launched. The Helpline 1099 provides referral services to address grievances of the victims.

Public Notices have been published in newspapers to create awareness among the masses in this regard. Since February 10 this year the total calls received are 41,573 out of which 8,317 cases were eligible and taken up with relevant departments for redressal.