ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly Committee on Monday approved the Charter of Child Rights Bill 2010, which after approval from the NA would be enforced in Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT), and could be used as a model for provinces to make similar legislations.
Once the NA and Senate approve the bill, the law will become the Charter of Child Rights Act 2012 (CCRA).
MNA Dr Attiya Inayatullah told reporters that after the18th Amendment, such legislation was a big achievement keeping in view the provincial perspective. She said that the law covered various areas of child rights, including right to life, parental care, freedom of thought and religion, protection against violence, right to health, education, rest and recreation, protection against abuse and right to juvenile justice.
She added that the law would help protect children against abuse, trafficking, prostitution and other crimes
The law will only be enforced in ICT, and could facilitate provinces in framing child rights legislations, keeping in view international norms and standards.
The committee finalised the law in the presence of Ministry of Human Rights and Law Divisions. According to the proposed law, a child at risk is defined as an orphan or victim of parental neglect or lawful guardian, whose parents or guardians are unfit or incapacitated to look after his needs, and exercise control over him. A child at risk could also be one who is forced into the worst forms of child labour, exploitive labour or beggary.
According to the Basic Child Rights Framework, every child shall be respected without discrimination of any kind irrespective of the child or parent’s or legal guardian’s race, colour, sex and religion.
The National Assembly Select Committee approved the Charter of Child Rights Bill 2010 with the aim to protect and promote the right of Pakistan’s Children through legislation.
The bill was drafted by Dr Attiya Inayatullah in light of the provisions of the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
The proposed law states that every child has the inherent right to life ranging from survival to self-development and provision of basic needs. The right to preserve identity as recognised by law is also respected.
The law also revealed that the arrest, detention or imprisonment of a child would be in conformity with the law and would only be used as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time.
The rights of challenged children were also recognised. The bill stated that all mentally and physically challenged children would enjoy a full and decent life, in conditions which ensure dignity, promote self-reliance and facilitate the child’s active participation in the community.
