ASIA/PAKISTAN - A national plan and a "toll free number" for the protection of human rights

Tuesday, 28 June 2016 human rights   religious minorities   women   poverty  

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Islamabad (Agenzia Fides) - A "toll free number" for citizens, 24 hours a 24, to denounce human rights violations and provide the first legal assistance to victims: is the initiative launched by the Federal Ministry for Human Rights, led by Pakistani Christian Senator Kamran Michael. As reported to Fides, the Minister, who has just started his job at a federal level, has also promised to create specific local human rights committees at a provincial and district level, established by the government in order to "create a network that can maintain effective control over human rights violations in Pakistan and provide a rapid response of the institutions".
Minister Michael took note of the increasing incidents of honor killings and violence against women by announcing that his Ministry is undertaking various administrative and political initiatives to counter this widespread violence in society.
As Fides learns, national "Guidelines" concerning "gender violence" are being studied. These projects are part of an overall plan that intends to act at a cultural and mentality level, reported the Minister: a vast and diversified program that aims to raise awareness on human rights issues, focusing on topics such as the right to life, dignity of human life, tolerance and religious harmony, with particular attention to women's rights, minorities, children, the elderly and people with disabilities. The program, announced Michael, includes an entry in the state budget of 250 million rupees for the year 2016-17. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 28/06/2016)


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