DIALOGUE ON ROLE OF POLITICAL PARTIES IN GOOD GOVERNANCE – 31 DECEMBER 2013
Political leaders and civil society activists linked the hope that the New Year 2014 will turn prosperous and peaceful for the whole Sindh and the people belonging to different sects and religious entities will play their role for promoting religious harmony. They were speaking at a ‘Dialogue on Role of Political Parties in Good Governance’ organized by Political Parties Steering Committee in collaboration with Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO) Hyderabad.
SPO Peace and Social Harmony work acknowledged
Daman Civil Society Network (DCSN) and Aawaz District Forum (ADF) with the technical assistance of SPO D.I.Khan has provided support to reconciliation Committees formed at Police Stations in the district. On December 31,2013 a ceremony was organized in Police Rest House presided by Deputy Commissioner (DC) and District Police Officer (DPO) D.I.Khan. During the Program DPO announced that SPO’s developed TORs boards will be installed in all 14 Police Stations, District Police Officer and Deputy Inspector General rooms. Deputy Commissioner (DC) D.I.Khan and DPO have advised all Police stations and reconciliation Committees to use SPO developed reporting format for onward reconciliation Committees monthly reports submission to DPO office with a copy to RH SPO D.I.Khan. DPO agreed to notify women representation in reconciliation Committees and formation of Separate Committee for minorities of D.I.Khan on the request of DCSN and ADF D.I.Khan members. He requested Regional head SPO D.I.Khan to share the names of women and minority Committee members for Committees for onward notification.
Civil society roundtable on new Enviromental Law in Sindh
Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO), organized a roundtable to get input from civil society on the proposed environmental law in Sindh. Sindh Minister Dr Sikandar Mandhro, SPO country head Naseer Memon, DG EPA Naeem Mughul, Chairperson Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) Mohammad Ali Shah, Prof Ismail Kumbhar of Agriculture University Tando Jam, Javed Akhtar of IUCN, Nasir Panhwar of Friends of Indus, Sikandar Brohi of Participatory Development Initiative (PDI) and other representatives of WWF-Pakistan, IUCN, Shirkatgah, journalists and academics. They advised the Sindh government to continue reviewing the Provincial Environmental Bill by involving all stakeholders so as to improve it further and make it acceptable to all.They said in case the bill was put before the assembly in haste; it may cause problems for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) itself. CE SPO Naseer Memon shared the objectives of the dialogue. Focusing on the issues related to environment in urban and rural areas, he gave the list of environmental pollution issues such as air pollution, contamination of food stuff and others related to human life. Dr.SikandarMandhro, Provincial minster for parliamentary affairs and environment, Govt. of Sindh appreciated SPO for organizing such a productive civil society roundtable and also appreciated audience for giving valuable inputs on the new bill.
SPO and Ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights signed a MoU
Protection of human rights is signature identity of democratic societies. All stakeholders need to strive for improving the image of Pakistan on human rights front. State of human rights in Pakistan merits greater cooperation among various stakeholders for improvement. Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO) and the Ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights (MoLJ&HR) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU is based on broader understanding to jointly carry out human rights consultations, policy reviews, participatory stakeholder feedbacks, etc. Secretary Ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights Barrister Zafarullah Khan and Naseer Memon, CE SPO signed the MoU. SPO has been actively working with Ministry on a number of issues, such as National Human Rights Policy Framework (NHRPF), National Human Rights Defender Mechanism (NHRDM), legislation on UN Convention Against Torture (UNCAT), etc. The Secretary, appreciating SPO’s support said that Government is committed to support civil society initiatives to protect human rights of Pakistani citizens. He said keeping in view the role of Ministry and civil society, this MoU will be helpful for implementation of human rights laws in the country and devise workable mechanism to achieve the desired objectives. Eminent civil society representatives were also present in the ceremony. http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-6-220011-MoU-signed-to-broader-HR-consultations http://pakedu.net/pakistani-education-news/mou-signed-to-broader-hr-consultations-ministry-of-law-justice-and-human-rights-moljhr/
Legislation on Domestic Violence is a need of the hour
A public advocacy event on “Effective Legislation to Protect Women’s Rights” on conclusion of 16 days worldwide campaign against violence against women by Mumkin Alliance. Naseer Memon Chief Executive, Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO) in his address said that the women rights cannot be attained without getting room in political agenda of the society; He said that political mind set should be changed for women empowerment.
CONSULTATION ON PAKISTAN PROTECTION ORDINANCE (PPO) 2013:IMPLICATIONS FOR HUMAN, POLITICAL & LEGAL RIGHTS OF THE CITIZEN
Civil society has shown serious concerns over potential abuse of Pakistan Protection Ordinance 2013 and demand annulment during a national level consultation organized by Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO) in Islamabad. Civil and human rights defenders consider these ominous laws as a tool to steamroller movements of political and civil rights. The Pakistan Protection Ordinance (PPO)2013 recently promulgated by the President of Pakistan and presented in the National Assembly for further enactment was discussed in the consultation of stakeholders on“Pakistan Protection Ordinance (PPO) 2013: Implications for Human, Political and Legal Rights of the Citizen.’’ The purpose of the consultation was to discuss the PPO at length and further focus on the comparison of the PPO clauses with the other National laws namely the Constitution of Pakistan (CoP), the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The diverse group of participants were from government, legal agencies and civil society organisations having direct and indirect role in law enforcement, legal practice and protection of human, political and legal rights. The participants discussed different clauses of the PPO in detail. Zafar Zeeshan Chief of Programs, SPO welcomed the invitees. Naseer Memon Chief Executive SPO briefed on the purpose of Consultation, Mr.I.A.Rehman from HRCP gave the key note speech. Mr.Mumtaz Khan, DG HR,MoLJ&HR concluded the discourse A lot of criticism came out of the discussion generated on the comparative analysis of the PPO with reference to C0P and the international covenants of UDHR and ICCPR to which Pakistan is signatory. In total the PPO violates approximately 67 clauses of CoP, UDHR and ICCPR, a couple of examples of the criticism are given below: The PPO has given Armed and civil forces the powers of firing even on apprehension of Scheduled offenses. This clause is in contradiction of the Article 9 of CoP, Article 2 of UDHR and Article 6, clause 1 of ICCPR. The PPO also provides the Armed and civil forces to arrest any person on reasonable suspicion without having any arrest warrant. This clause is in violation of the Article 10 of COP, Article 2, 9 & 12 of UDHRand Article 9 clause 1 of ICCPR. Following are the links of Express Tribune , Daily Dawn and Daily jeejal, beside this BBC radio, Sindh TV, VOA, APP , Radio Pakistan and Power 99(FM)have broadcast our news story. 1.http://tribune.com.pk/story/638516/pakistan-protection-ordinance-new-law-voted-down-by-rights-advocates/ 2. http://epaper.dawn.com/DetailNews.php?StoryText=29_11_2013_153_002 3.http://dailyjeejal.com/epaper/?attachment_id=64262#.UpgkGMTbT6k
Chief Executive of SPO Mr. Naseer Memon has been nominated as a Member on the “HAP Technical Group for the development of a Core Humanitarian Standard and Coherent Standards Architecture”
We are glad to share that the Chief Executive of SPO Mr. Memon has been nominated as a Member on the “Technical Group for the development of a Core Humanitarian Standard and Coherent Standards Architecture”. The Group is convened by HAP, People In Aid and the Sphere Project for the development of a Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) and a Coherent Standards Achitecture for the sector. The Group will contribute to the drafting of the CHS and help inform decisions subsequently made by the boards of HAP, People In Aid and the Sphere Project on the scope of the Standard and its underlying principles. Mr. Naseer Memon’s representation on this global forum reflects SPO’s credibility and recognition of its institutional contribution on various national and international forums.
Workshop conducted for SPO staff on ‘Interpersonal Communication Skills and Power of a Positive Attitude’
Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO) conducted a training workshop in Lahore on ‘Interpersonal Communication Skills and the Power of Positive Attitude’ starting from Sep 30th – Oct 1st, 2013 for its associate level staff. A total of 23 staff members from the National Center and all Regional Centers participated in the interactive workshop which discussed topics such as effective communication; barriers hindering the communication process, and the importance and correct use of non-verbal cues. Ms. Fauzia Kerai, the training resource-person also explained the process of creating self-awareness, maintaining a positive attitude and the effect it has on employee’s productivity. She stressed the concept of self-motivation and urged the participants to adopt a ‘can do’ attitude for the greatest impact.
Provincial level consultative meeting on ‘Effective Women Participation in Local Government’
Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO) Lahore region organized a provincial level consultative meeting on ‘Effective Women Participation in Local Government’. Salman Abid, Regional Head SPO Lahore while addressing the consultative meeting stressed the need for development process to be inclusive. This was possible if all groups of people especially women contribute to creating opportunities as per people’s needs, share the benefits of development and participate in local government decision-making.