One-day conference discusses several issues including rights of disabled persons and trans-community
Our Correspondent
Sanghar Sindh
National Disability and Development Forum (NDF) organized a Divisional Conference on Human Rights Issues and Solutions in Shaheed Benazirabad Division in collaboration with Human Rights Department, Government of Sindh at Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University Campus Sanghar on Thursday.
During the Conference, NDF President Abid Lashari said that there was a lack of human rights propagation, correct information and awareness in the society about whom to contact for solving problems and protecting human rights.
He said that Social organizations like NDF are helping the government to bridge the gap between the common people and the human rights department by promoting public information and developing linkages.
“The district administration should provide all possible assistance to human rights department and social organizations to deal with human rights violations,” he urged.
Abid Lashari added that human rights violations are reported in every society but are largely regulated by strict law enforcement agencies.
He said that the purpose of the conference is to highlight human rights issues and possible solutions in Shaheed Benazirabad Division.
He informed that various laws have been enacted by the government of Sindh including Domestic Violence Act 2013, Hindu Marriage Act 2018, Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Act 2018, Sindh Child Marriage Act 2013, Human Rights Act 2012, Compulsory Education Act and some other prominent laws but they need to be implemented. The aforementioned laws protect human rights locally.
Mazhar Mallah, Focal Person of Directorate of Human Rights Shaheed Benazirabad, said that Sindh Government has a Human Rights Department which is empowered to protect and promote human rights in the province.
“It has functional directorates at the regional level. The purpose of the Department is to promote awareness about human rights, to enable the public to claim and exercise their rights, to train and educate the relevant authorities to fulfill their duties within the framework of the law,” he said.
Dost Mohammad Dhamrah, Member Provincial Human Rights Vigilance Committee, Sanghar, said that the provincial committee seeks support for reporting human rights violations and giving advice to promote human rights at the grassroots level.
Dr. Abdul Ghaffar, Deputy Director, Benazir University Campus, Sanghar, said that every human being should play his role to spread the awareness of human rights so that the transmission of rights can be made common. “Every human being has equal rights like others but we are far from it”.
“Injustices, discrimination, poor attitudes, delays in justice, frustration, all factors that hinder access to justice need to be removed,” he said adding that ‘We need a barrier-free society for all, which is our long-standing dream to be fulfilled.”
Rajesh Kumar said that Legal Aid is a remarkable step of the Human Rights Department in providing free legal aid and advocacy.
“All concerned stakeholders have to be involved to bring the resources to provide accurate information and moral support to the victims so that the right door can be knocked on,” he said.
Rajesh Kumar added that there is a need to focus on the rights of minorities. The society is facing human rights violations, no community is spared but still hope to live with rights. “We need to raise voice against violations and to access every platform for the justice.”
Lal Baloch and Mumtaz Mangi highlighted the protection of the rights of the persons with disabilities especially with the implementation of 5% employment quota to promote their dignity.
Transgender Activist Asif Ali said that there is an urgent need to stop the humiliation of Trans-community, and urged that their rights should be protected and they should be treated as human beings.
On this occasion, Little Star Bilal Ahmed, Lal Muhammad Baloch, Transgender Asif Ali, Shamaila Arain, Mumtaz Mangi, Sania and others were honored with certificates of participation.
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