Lawyers for Human Rights and Legal Aid (LHRLA) has brought the issues of human trafficking to limelight in Pakistan. This was stated by LHRLA President Zia Ahmed Awan, while addressing a seminar on "Human trafficking-a challenge to good governance."
During national consultation to expand partnership and share framework of South Asia Joint Regional Action Forum (JRAF) held at a local hotel on Friday. In his keynote address, Awan highlighted various issues regarding the migration, trafficking and violence against women. He said that no legislation and mechanism could be fruitful without a tandem in work of the civil society and government.
He appreciated the introduction of Human Trafficking Ordinance and Saarc convention on human trafficking, and suggested that the governments and civil society representatives should review the convention. He urged the Saarc governments to make legislation as per the UN protocol to prevent, suppress and punish the human traffickers.
He said the human trafficking was a challenge to good governance and had the authority to protect the rights of all citizens. Nimalka Fernando, a human rights activist from Sri Lanka, in her speech, said the JRAF had produced encouraging results like progressive landmark judgements from South Asian countries, regional mass awareness toolkit on safe migration, and regional training guidelines for law enforcement agencies on violence. A large number of people from civil society organisations and government officials were present on the occasion.