Quetta: A one day seminar was held to commemorate International Day in Support of Victims of Torture in a local hotel of Quetta, on Saturday.
Seminar was organized by “We the Humans” organization in collaboration with Asian Human Rights Commission.
Human right activists, lawyers, law enforcement officials and members of Civil Society Balochistan participated in the Seminar.
Balochistan Voices was the media partner of the seminar.
Tahir Hussain advocate, Head of Balochistan Chapter of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), was the chief guest of the program.
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He lamented that after 18th amendment no province has done legislation on United Nations – Convention Against Torture (UN-CAT).
Political parties in current government have failed to do any legislation to curb torture and there are no expectations from them.
He also criticized the newly formed National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) by saying that member of NCHR from Balochistan permanently lives in Islamabad.
Member of NCHR from Balochistan permanently lives in Islamabad – Tahir Hussain advocate
Ameer Jan Jamaldini, Moderator of the Seminar, said that Torture is the term used for mental and physical harm done by security forces to the people.
Jalila Haider Advocate, CEO of We The Humans, welcomed all the participants and delivered a Presentation on United Nations – Convention Against Torture (UN-CAT) and liability of Pakistan.
Zahoor Afridi, Superintendent of Police (SP) delivered a presentation on Police role in eliminating torture during the process of investigation. He answered questions asked by participants on the issue of torture prevailing in Police Stations.
Shams ul Mulk, a Human Rights Activist, apprised the participants about the Torture and its impact on Pakistan’s membership for GSP plus status.
Advocate Qamar un Nisa of Balochistan Bar Association delivered a presentation on Torture a Human Rights Perspective.
She said that rules of colonial era have been carried forward in Pakistan which is the root cause of torture.
Seminar concluded on the note the both Federal and Provincial governments need to do more to ensure that Torture is curbed in the country.
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