THE last national assembly passed two historic laws, studiously ignored previously. The laws favour the two most oppressed and troubled segments of society: the acid attack victims and the transgender community.

The national assembly passed ‘the Acid and Burn Crime Bill 2017, which offers free medical treatment and rehabilitation to acid burn victims, who often face physical and psychological disability for the rest of their lives. The law also criminalises the very act of acid attack.

The parliament also approved the law guaranteeing basic rights to transgender people in the midst of the prevalent discrimination against them. The law also bans discrimination against transgender people in matters of employment. These two are really progressive pieces of legislation.

Mahnoor Janjua

Karachi

Published in Dawn, June 21st, 2018