SUKKUR: As many as 23 judges of the lower judiciary and magistrates from Sukkur division attended a workshop organised by the Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC) in collaboration with the Sindh Judicial Academy (SJA), according to a press release issued by the commission on Tuesday.

The aim of holding the workshop was to enhance the lower judiciary judges’ awareness and understanding of human rights laws, with focus on the laws pertaining to consumer protection, human trafficking, gender-based violence and juvenile justice system, besides discussing judiciary’s pivotal role in their implementation, SHRC Chairman Iqbal Detho said.

He shed light on the role of judiciary in enforcing the laws and ensuring dispensation of speedy justice to victims. He also highlighted the concept and principles of human rights, and called for simple and comprehensive interpretation of the relevant laws to create awareness among people and guide them on seeking justice.

At the outset, JAC faculty member and a District & Sessions Judge Naveed Ahmed Soomro highlighted legal gaps affecting the implementation of the laws and foiling conviction of the guilty. He also explained different aspects of the Sindh Consumer Protection Act, 2014 and the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2018.

Barrister Rida Tahir discussed the Sindh Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act, 2013, and informed the participating judges that since 2013, around 320 cases of domestic violence were filed before the judiciary.

She noted that police would not easily oblige an aggrieved party seeking to lodge an FIR. She said in such cases, the aggrieved could directly approach the court of a first class judicial magistrate.

Barrister Rida also explained the Sindh Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 2015, and the Prohibition of Employment of Children Act, 2017.

Barrister Aashir Mahar shed light on the Juvenile Justice System Act, 2018.

Justice Mohammad Saleem Jessar of Sindh High Court’s Sukkur bench distributed certificates among the participating judges and magistrates.

The SHRC press release said that this workshop reflected the commission’s and SAJ’s commitment to strengthen the judicial system and enhance competence of judges, besides increasing awareness of human rights and ensuring effective implementation of all relevant laws.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2025