Principles of human rights are not being implemented in society:  Sindh CM

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that there is no doubt that the principles of human rights are not being implemented in our society in true letter and spirit.

This he said while talking to a 10-member delegation of Human Right Watchdog, led by UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders.

The chief minister was assisted by Minister Education & Labour Saeed Ghani, CM Advisor Murtaza Wahab, CM’s Special Assistant on Human Rights Virjee Kolhi, PSCM Sajid Jamal Abro, Secretary Labour Rasheed Solangi, Secretary Human Right Department Badar Jameel Mendhro and others concerned.

The chief minister going through the 73 years history of Pakistan said that the period of democracy in the country was 23 years, therefore, implementation of principles of human rights had always been an issue.

 “But as far as PPP’s Sindh government is concerned, it has enacted over 16 human rights-related laws just after the passage of 18thConstitutional Amendment, “We are much ahead of other provinces even in South Asia,” he said proudly.

The human rights-related laws passed by provincial assembly include Sindh Industrial Relations Act 2013, Sindh Workers Welfare Fund Act 2014, Sindh Employees Old Age Benefit Act 2014.

 Sindh Companies Profits (Workers Participation) Act 2015, Sindh Workers Compensation Act 2015, Sindh Minimum Wages Act 2015.

 Sindh Terms of Employment (Standing Orders) Act 2015, Sindh Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 2015,    Sindh Home Based Workers Act 2018 and Sindh Women Agricultural Workers Ac, 2019, Sexual Harassment at Workplace Act 2010, and Sindh Hindu Marriage Restraint Act. The forced conversion of the religion has also been enacted.

Shah said that three human rights related schemes had been included in the annual development plan, which includes a series of awareness in which the general public had been given information about basic human rights.

Human Rights Complaint Cell has been established with toll-free No.0800 00011 where all complaints are registered. The third one is Legal Aid. There are Human Rights Officers in five districts while in other districts, the district coordinators are posted.

CM further said that the provincial government had successfully organized first ever Labour Tripartite Conference in 2017 which was attended by the prominent employees and employers and others.

Shah added that the conference provided a platform to formulate policy and guidelines for creating peaceful and better working environment and welfare of the workers. He also mentioned that child marriage had also been banned under the provincial assembly law. 

The UN Special Rapporteur Michel Forst explained the Chief Minister about the purpose of his visit and said this was his academic visit.

When a state invites the UN Special Rapporteur it is called the official visit. But this is not an official but he was invited by the civil society organisations. He mentioned that his office is receiving complaints of enforced disappearances in Pakistan.

The chief minister assured him that the provincial government was seriously implementing all the human, women and children’s rights laws. “The government is ensuring that all the citizens are provided right to free trial,” Shah said. The civil society representatives gave a presentation regarding the human rights situation in Sindh.

The chief minister told the delegation that the provincial government recognizes the services of all the genuine civil society organisations and would ensure that they work in their respective fields without any hindrances.