The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Friday expressed alarm and disappointment over a declaration by the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) that DNA test results were not acceptable as primary evidence in cases of rape.
In a statement, the commission said it wanted to unequivocally state that the latest pronouncement of the CII was regressive and “exceptionally insensitive and unkind to rape victims.”
The HRCP said rape was a horrendous crime which was far too common in Pakistan. Poor investigation methods and reluctance of witnesses to come forward out of fear meant that the balance was titled in the favour of the rapist. In these circumstances, it would be foolish to not depend on all the evidence that is available, especially something as incontrovertible as DNA test results, HRCP said.
Rather than benefiting from scientific advances through DNA tests, which had proven to be an accurate method for identification, CII suggested discarding that without any prudent reason, HRCP said. Furthermore, the commission said that the CII recommendation refused to take into account the rights of rape victims and the need to punish the criminals who were proven guilty beyond doubt.
