As many as 7148 cases of Human Rights (HR) violations were reported during the last year (2015) across the country according to data compiled by Ministry of Human Rights (MOHR).
These cases are identified by media monitoring throughout the year of various heinous and other nature crimes with the major figures of murder i.e 3116 followed by target killing of 723 cases of abduction, an official of MOHR said.
Other cases included 309 cases of target killing, 307 torture, 413 sexual assault and gang assault, 262 cases of Karo Kari/honour killing, 163 extra judicial killing, 107 domestic violence cases, 90 acid attacks, 58 missing persons, 16 sexual harassments and 14 killings in police custody while 1570 other cases were reported during this time span, he said.
He informed the basic function of Ministry of Human Rights was to monitor Human Rights situation in the country. The cases of Human Rights violations were identified by the Ministry of Human Rights through electronic and print media monitoring and direct complaints received in the Ministry during the year
All these cases have been taken up by the ministry with the concerned authorities/departments for their redressal as per law, he stated. The Ministry of Human Rights was committed to ensure fundamental human rights of its citizens as envisaged under the Constitution as well as international commitments by adopting all possible measures to ensure protection and promotion of such rights, he further added.
However, despite various positive efforts at federal and provincial levels, violations of human Rights do take place. In this context, responsibility of the governments both at federal and provincial levels has increased manifold.
At federal level, Ministry of Human Rights was entrusted with the task of protection of fundamental human rights for which the ministry has taken major steps safeguards rights of the people at their door steps.
For the purpose, an action plan for human rights, approved by the prime minister on February 13, during the current year which was being implemented.
An amount of Rs 750.00 million has been approved to put in place institutional mechanisms for realizing the rights proposed in the action plan which included an amount of Rs 400 million for human rights education, sensitisation, awareness raising, research and communication.
It also included Rs 250 million for establishment of National Institute of Human Rights for capacity building, training, research and development and Rs 100 million endowment fund for free legal aid for poor victims of human rights violations.
A project titled, ‘Helpline 1099’ for legal advice to the victims of human rights violations has been launched. The helpline (1099) provided referral services to address grievances of the victims, he added.
Public notices have been issued in newspapers to create awareness among the masses in this regard. Since February 10, this year the total calls received were 41573, out of which 8317 cases were eligible and taken up with relevant departments for redressal.
