PESHAWAR, Aug 27: Highlighting the importance of sensitisation of police officials about the rights of children and women, speakers at a workshop on Tuesday said police should be made aware about laws safeguarding the right of vulnerable groups in the society.

Speaking at the inaugural session of a three-day police sensitisation workshop, arranged by the regional directorate of human rights in collaboration with Save the Children (Sweden), the speakers said if different segments of society had not been given their due rights there would be a complete chaos in the society.

About 30 police officials including women, belonging to West Cantt Police Station and Women Police Station, have been attending the workshop. The inaugural session was addressed by Secretary Law Saleem Khan, country director of Save the Children Lisa Lundgren, regional director of the human rights directorate Mashud Ahmad Mirza, Shireen Niaz of Save the Children and ASP Peshawar Cantt Dar Ali Khattak.

Mashud Mirza explained the objectives of the workshop and said the concept of sensitising the police was a bit new. He said through such like programmes they intended to turn the West Cantt Police Station and Women Police Station into model stations of the provincial capital.

Saleem Khan said just like judiciary and legislature, executive was vital to criminal justice system. He stated that police were an important part of the executive as every section of the society remained in touch with them. Due to this reason, he said, training of police was of utmost importance.

“If the attitude of the police is against the law and in conflict with the principles of humanity it creates unrest in the society,” the law secretary said. He informed the audience that establishment of juvenile courts by the provincial government was also in the pipeline.

Mr Khan said constitution was a basic legal document of a country and in Pakistan article 7 to article 28 of the Constitution dealt with rights of an individual, which was necessary for a civilised society.

Ms Lisa Lundgren praised the government for promulgating the Juvenile Justice System Ordinance and its implementation. She said now it was the responsibility of the government and different organizations to make the police aware about the law.

She said apart from the police it was the responsibility of every citizen to look after these children.