ISLAMABAD: Human Rights Minister Dr Shireen Mazari on Tuesday said that ‘Domestic Workers Bill’, aimed at the protection of rights of domestic workers, would soon be presented in the National Assembly (NA).
The minister stated this speaking at a two-day workshop titled “Protection and Promotion of Human Rights; The Role of Provincial Assemblies” held in Islamabad.
Addressing the inaugural session as a chief guest, Shireen Mazari stressed upon the members of provincial and legislative assemblies to focus on human rights issues and raise their voices in their respective assemblies for their protection on priority. She stated that the protection of human rights was a pre-requisite for the stability of democracy in the country.
The minister, while talking about the role of provincial assemblies in the protection and propagation of human rights, said that the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees the protection of human rights.
She said that the government was committed to ensuring the rights of all citizens without any discrimination and steps were being taken to ensure the implementation of international commitments in pursuance of the constitution.
Dr Mazari further said that the ministry was following a comprehensive agenda of implementation of existing laws and introducing new laws to protect citizens’ fundamental rights. She also highlighted the ministry’s resolve for creating awareness about human rights among the masses, adding that the ministry has already started awareness campaigns for women’s right to inheritance and provision of free legal aid to them.
She said that the issue of enforced disappearances ought to be resolved by taking all stakeholders on board. She said that non-Muslim communities in Pakistan were free to practice their own laws and in this connection, Hindu Divorce and Marriage Law had already been passed and Christian Divorce Bill would be presented in the lower house soon.
The workshop was also addressed by PIPS Executive Director Zafarullah Khan, DRI Representative Javed Malik and others.