SHRC and SSDO work together against human trafficking and forced labor

The Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC), in collaboration with the Sustainable Social Development Organization (SSDO), on Wednesday organized a crucial “Provincial Stakeholders’ Working Group Meeting of Sindh”. This collaboration is aimed at addressing the pressing issues of human trafficking and forced labor across the province. The SHRC and SSDO are working closely with various government stakeholders to ensure justice, equality and dignity for all citizens, and are making progress in these critical areas.

Iqbal Ahmed Detho, Chairman of SHRC, stressed the need for Sindh to frame its own rules under the federal law as the current Rules of Business are applicable only to the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT). He revealed that draft rules are currently with the Law Department and are accessible to the Ministry of Interior.

Detho also shared that he had personally visited all the Dar-ul-Amans in Sindh and that the SHRC and the Women Development Department (WDD) were working together to operationalize shelters in Jacobabad and Mirpurkhas. He pointed out the lack of a legal framework for these shelters and announced plans to draft legislation for their regulation. He further called for the establishment of one-stop facilities in high-need cities outside Karachi and stressed the importance of improving monitoring of inter-departmental coordination committees. Detho also noted that there was no daycare center within the Secretariat. Syed Kausar Abbas, Executive Director of SSDO, addressed the gathering by discussing two cases of human trafficking, highlighting the challenges in prosecution and low conviction rates.

He stressed that social media has exacerbated the trends of human trafficking, especially among the youth. Abbas discussed the importance of raising local awareness and shared that SSDO and SHRC have conducted training sessions with Sindh police on human trafficking. He also urged provinces to develop their own regulations to effectively address these issues and stressed the need for better monitoring of TIP (Trafficking in Persons) meetings at the district level.

Lawyer Rida Tahir, an expert on gender and child rights, discussed the shortcomings in the FIR process and investigation procedures related to domestic violence cases.

SSP Abdul Raheem Sherazi stressed the importance of cooperation between all relevant departments including Social Welfare, Law, Housing, Police and Labour to create rules for the Trafficking in Persons Act. He also mentioned that SHRC and SSDO have conducted numerous training sessions for parliamentarians, government officials, police and media on the subject. ShabanaKausarShahani, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Law and Parliamentary Affairs, stressed the need for clear rules and procedures to ensure effective enforcement of TIP-related laws. Ali Murad Baladi, Deputy Director, Anti-Human Trafficking Circle, Federal Investigation Agency, Karachi Zone, shared insights into the primary issues of sexual exploitation and forced labour associated with human trafficking. Wali Mohammad Qureshi, Deputy Director, Ministry of Women Development, explained that women affected by human trafficking can stay at Safe Houses for a short period of time while Dar-ul-Amans offers longer-term accommodation.

Fatima Saima, Deputy Secretary for Foreigners and Human Rights, Ministry of Home Affairs, stressed the importance of multi-sectoral rules involving all relevant departments. Lajwanti, a communications specialist with the Good Governance Treaty Implementation Cell under the Human Rights Department, Government of Sindh, said their cell collates data from various departments for reporting to the relevant UN agency. Zulfiqar Abbasi, DSP of the Human Rights Cell under the Sindh Police, said 32 cases have been registered under the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act, 2018.

He added that the Sindh Police is actively working to raise public awareness on various issues through FM Radio. Fareeda Tahir, Public Relations Officer at SHRC, suggested that since the Treaty Implementation Cell is already collecting data from various departments, it should also track cases of human trafficking and forced labour in Sindh.

The meeting concluded with a strong commitment to continue the fight against human trafficking in Sindh. SHRC, SSDO and their partners plan to focus on improving victim support services, enhancing data collection and reporting mechanisms and advocating for stronger legislative measures.