Submitted by crinadmin on
The following statement has been issued by members of Child Rights Committees from 46 districts in Pakistan. We observed that children in Pakistan have been adversely affected by the recent global economic crisis, rising inflation, recent floods, and military operations in Dera Bugti and Kohlu, Bajaur and Swat. Over 300, 000 children are in miserable conditions in Baluchistan, as a result of the earthquake. There is a lack if support for street children in urban areas, the involvement of children in armed /tribal conflicts and an insensitivity to the treatment of children by law enforcement agencies. Furthermore, the lack of political commitments to children by, for example, all political parties, demonstrates the insignificant attention given to half the country’s population. We demand: Further information
three years, and the implementation of the National Child Protection Policy (draft).
Children’s issues. The current National Commission for Child Welfare
Development is a non-statutory, merely advisory body for the government,
which does not provide a mechanism for redress. We demand an effective
Child Protection Authority and/or a separate Children's Ministry
empowered to protect the rights of children in Pakistan.
international treaties such as the Convention Against Torture(CAT) and the
International Convention on the Protection of all Persons from
Enforced Disappearances.
years in all occupations according to the ILO convention 138 dealing
with the minimum age of admission to employment. Also, the employment of
children in hazardous occupations should be completely prohibited for
all children (under 18), in accordance with ILO convention 182 dealing
with the worst forms of child labour.
consistent with the CRC to which Pakistan is a party.
In the criminal/juvenile justice system, particularly homicide laws in
Pakistan regarding the killings of young girls in the name of honour,
which are weak, contradictory and allow space for mediations and other soft options.
corporal punishment.
the abolition of death penalty, a moratorium on the imposition and
execution of death penalty for youth offenders should be declared.
justice system such as police, prosecution, probation, judiciary and jail
staff should be directed to follow the proper procedures at all stages from
arrest, detention, and custody, to trial and imprisonment. Further more, they
should be trained and sensitised on child rights.
age from primary to elementary education.
abolition of collective punishment clauses and render it in consonance
with other common laws.
internal trafficking of children. Trafficked children are not covered by this ordinance or the Employment of Children Act 1991, and other sections
of the Pakistan Penal Code.