Senate Committee Endorses Bill to Protect Rights of Persons with Disability in Pakistan

Strategic Insights -

The Senate Functional Committee on Human Rights on Monday endorsed the 'ICT Rights of Persons with Disability Bill, 2024', aiming to ensure the protection of rights of 'people with special needs'. Senator Dr Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur moved the bill, which underwent several key amendments in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Rights. The committee discussed provisions for conducting five-yearly surveys of schools, providing books and assistive devices, offering scholarships, and promoting inclusive education. The inclusion of internationally-recognised definitions for 'mild' and 'moderate' disabilities was also discussed for legal clarity.

Key Takeaways:

  • The ICT Rights of Persons with Disability Bill, 2024, aims to safeguard the rights of 'people with special needs' in Pakistan.
  • The bill proposes conducting five-yearly surveys of schools to ensure inclusive education and provides for the distribution of books and assistive devices.
  • The committee agreed on the inclusion of internationally-recognised definitions for 'mild' and 'moderate' disabilities to clarify legal provisions.
  • Punjab and Sindh have enacted their own laws to protect the rights of persons with disabilities, while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's legislation is still under finalisation.
  • An app has been launched in Islamabad to assist parents and gather data on children with disabilities, serving as a pilot model.
  • The committee discussed the National Commission on the Rights of the Child (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and recommended expanding cybercrime units, recruiting trained professionals, and ensuring inter-agency coordination.
  • Concerns were raised regarding delays in legal proceedings, victim withdrawal, and the absence of timely support mechanisms for victims of cybercrime.
  • The committee urged authorities to maintain offenders' databases, conduct background checks, and strengthen existing helplines for timely intervention.

Statistics:

  • 30: The number of convictions reported in relation to cybercrime in Pakistan.
  • 5: The frequency of surveys proposed for schools to ensure inclusive education and provide books and assistive devices.
  • 3: The number of provinces in Pakistan that have enacted their own laws to protect the rights of persons with disabilities (Punjab, Sindh, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa).
  • 1: The number of apps launched in Islamabad to assist parents and gather data on children with disabilities.

Sources:

  • "Senate committee discusses ICT rights bill for persons with disabilities" (Daily News) - No date
  • Islamabad News (01 March 2024) "Senate Committee on Human Rights" - No date
  • Meeting of the Senate Committee on Human Rights on March 19, 2024