Empowering Human Rights Defenders: Sindh Steps Up for Justice and Equality
Chehra WebDesk
Every Person in private or public sector who promote or protect Human Rights is Human Rights Defender was endorsed by the Human Rights Activists, Political activists ,Media personnel of District Sukkur during one day capacity building of Human Rights Defenders of Sukkur on May 28, 2025 at regional office of Sindh Human Rights Commission, Sukkur.
Chairperson, Sindh Human Rights Commission, Sindh emphasized about institutional protection provided by Human Rights safeguards and socio-economic dynamics in the Human Rights Governance at District level .
He appreciated all the HRDs and their contribution in protecting basic as well as fundamental rights of the communities and citizens given in the legal and constitutional framework.
Helping HRDs to understand the philosophy of Human Rights, the Chairperson stressed the work together with the state actors and government functionaries to support and ensure the rights of the citizens as per the constitution of Pakistan and other treaties and conventions signed and ratified by the country, globally.
Mr. Iqbal Detho informed participants about Sindh Human Rights Commission in helping citizens and the public as well as private bodies to ensure compliances of the Human Rights and the services contributing in the basic human rights. He also shared participants that Human Rights Department has achieved an excellent milestone of the Human Rights Policy 2023 – 2028 which protects the rights of vulnerable and marginalized communities. Mr.Detho highlighted the need for activating the human rights structures for woman,children, minorities and other vulnerable groups of society.
Commissioner Sukkur – Mr. Fayaz Hussain Abbassi speaking on the occasion told that Sindh Government has changed the terms of reference of District Peace Committees which are focusing inter-faith harmony and countering hate speech and violent extremism. The commissioner appreciated the role of SHRC to build the capacity of the HRDs, which is significant forum of the civil society focused on women, child and minority rights and emphasized about the establishment of Woman &Children Police Stations at District level including Sukkur. There is need for establishment of Elderly persons shelter home along with facilities for senior citizens.
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Advocate of High Court emphasized the need for training of Police, Training of elements of criminal Justice including Judiciary.He emphasized about the inclusion of Human Rights in the syllabus and curriculum of Schools, Colleges, Univerities. While speaking he highlighted the situation of inmates in the prison and called for provision of legal aid through government mechanisms.
The technical sessions on legal frameworks and referral mechanisms for Human Rights conducted by Barrister Aashir on implementation of Juvenile Justice System Act-2018 by formulating its Rules of implementation. Sindh Domestic Violence (Prevention & Protection ) Act 2013 calls for the establishment of Woman Protection Commiittees. Barrister Aashir helped participants to gain knowledge on National Laws and Policies, Mechanisms for Reporting and Referring Human Rights Violations and the Role of Government Departments and Police.
Adding in social context of the legal frameworks and the role of HRDs to identify issues of Human Rights, understand the context of Human Rights, compliance issues of Human Rights, referral mechanism and coordination with the relevant department, the session was conducted by Kashif Siddiqui clubbed with group activities on issues, challenges and solutions of human rights. He also helped participants to prepare a joint local advocacy plan of actions.
