Shireen Mazari Criticized HRCP Statistics Shaming No Implementing Of Transgender Laws

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Apr, 2019 ) :Federal Minister for Human Rights Shireen M Mazari Thursday criticized the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) statistics shared in a press release shaming no implementation of transgender laws.

The minister was addressing the seminar organized by the Islamabad Capital Territory Police (ICTP) and Rozan titled "Striving to Protect and Uphold Equal Rights for All" a public-private drive to end gender based violence.

"Pakistan is one of the most progressive countries in the world for legislating laws to secure and safeguard rights of transgender community. The HRCP and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs) should upgrade their records and avoid disseminating dubious information demeaning Pakistan's image around the globe," she added.

The minister said that the laws formed for transgender community were implemented as special ward at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) had been set up and free medical treatment at every public hospital was also ensured in the implementation of these laws.

"The health ministry has publicly announced to first distribute health cards to the transgender," she added.

Mazari said, "Violence cases against the transgender have significantly reduced which were frequently reported earlier. During the last year, 14 cases per month of violence against members of the transgender fraternity were reported which declined to 5 cases per month in January 2019 and 2 cases per month in March this year." She mentioned that the situation had considerably improved in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province which was appreciable.

Mazari emphasized the need of mass awareness campaigns at grass root level coupled with the assistance of media in publicizing the message for deeper outreach.

"We need to bring change in our homes and start educating mothers and every member of the household to stand up for their rights namely women, children and particularly youth as it's not a favour rather their fundamental rights prescribed in the Constitution. There is no harm in gathering financial assistance from United Nations' (UN) bodies working for the cause in Pakistan. UN Women, UNICEF and UNDP are quite supportive and we are also members of the UN and it's our right to demand funds for women human rights initiatives," she said.

However, Mazari clearly underscored that the international NGOs funding needs to be limited as they come with their own agendas contradicting and hostile to the indigenous social set up, norms and culture.

"Pakistan is among very few countries allowing minorities with their own laws compatible with their religious customs and faith. Hindu Marriage Law is there whereas Christian Marriage Law and Divorce Law are in the process," she added.

She insisted on the fact that in order to curb the menace of violence against women, children and the marginalized factions of the society, we had to focus implementation of the existing laws and formulation of new laws, massive awareness and change in the mindset prevailing in the society.

Minister of State for Interior, Shehryar Afridi speaking at the occasion said that the law of the land stood supreme and a sovereign country would never compromise on its principles.

"INGOs should keep this thing in mind that we acknowledge their efforts in supporting the weak and marginalized communities of our society.

There has been no regulatory framework in the country since 1947 till 2015 to control INGOs whereas they have to bring their programmes in line with the social fabric and prevailing culture, customs and traditions of the country. We have facilitated them and if they do not follow then Pakistan will clearly say 'NO' to such organizations," he said.

"Respect for Women, vulnerable and marginalized has been the basics of our religion whereas we have lost our fundamentals. It is high time to rejuvenate the spirit to bring acceptance for the ignored and despised factions of the society," he added.

Inspector General ICTP, Aamir Zulfiqar Khan apprised the participants that the seminar was the second of the series aimed at boosting knowledge among the policemen and relevant stakeholders on gender based violence. It was basically the celebration of women as the key and most esteemed component of our society, he added.

He said that there were gaps at different levels for effective implementation and action to safeguard and protect rights for all.

"We have to change behaviours not only of the policemen rather the entire society towards the most vulnerable and violence inflicted masses of our society," he added.

"Globally, there is 25 percent to 30 percent female representation in the police department whereas we have only 250 officers recruited at the moment in the ICTP. We have good paper work but zero implementation of those prescribed initiatives," IGP Khan said.

He added that our complaint cell received 331 complaints pertaining to violence against women which as per should have been registered as a full-fledged case against the tormenters but considering their vulnerability and compulsions we managed to resolve their matters through moderation.

Earlier, DIG Operations ICTP Waqar Uddin Syed informed the participants about the upgradation of women police stations as Women and Child Protection Cell which had resolved the issues of complaint registration by the female victims of violence who prior to this had to go to male police stations.

He added that ICTP was also providing in house psychological counseling, legal aid facilities and child care for women in lock up. A helpline 8090 was also established which received 319 complaints till date and only four were unresolved, he added.

However, the seminar organized also had panel discussion moderated by Ombudsperson Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rukhshanda Naz where Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari, State Minister Shehryar Afridi, IG-ICTP Aamir Zulfiqar Khan and Managing Director Rozan Babar Bashir participated in the discussion.

Theatre Artists from Balochistan also performed a tableau highlighting the plight of women, young girls and children facing wrath and persecution at the hands of impolite household heads resulting into unheard miseries and deprivations.

Programme Director, Rozan Arifa Mazhar said that there was no data of public shelter homes (Darul Aman) available for research to ascertain the level facilities provided and challenges faced by the women reaching there for relief. She said in a private shelter home of Sukkur 38 out of total 61 women facing violence had left the shelter home and compromised to return to their homes due to lack of facilities and financial constraints. She urged the government to pay heed to this issue.