Charter of Demand for Local Government Plan 2013
Representatives of civil society organizations, presented a ‘Citizen’s Charter of Demand’ asking governments to legislate and hold local bodies elections in accordance with the constitution of Pakistan. The Charter of Demand was presented at a press conference organized by leading civil society organizations, working under AAWAZ Voice and Accountability Programme that seeks to ensure inclusive democratic processes and improves the state’s accountability to citizens. http://dawn.com/news/1032817/lg-polls-in-islamabad-demanded
Training on Basics of Humanitarian Practices
SPO DPRD has added a new feature of capacity building in its portfolio so that organization and other partners are fully prepared for the natural disasters and emergencies in the country. First of capacity building event is in progress at Hyderabad from 24-26 July 2013.it has covered introductory modules of nature and types disasters, humanitarian standards and codes, rapid need assessment and effective quality and accountability mechanisms. This course is designed to help participants in enhancing their knowledge base about the multiple features of disaster preparedness and response related work and get ready for future interventions.
Consultation-Civil Society’s Position on Merger of MoHR
SPO organized a consultation of civil society on merger of Ministry of Human rights into ministry of Law and Justice in Islamabad. During the meeting, known civil society expressed serious concerns regarding this decision and termed it as denial from accepting human rights of Pakistani citizens.
AAWAZ programme Training Replication in Lahore
SPO organized a training replication exercise in Lahore from 11 to 18 July. Consortium partners’ staff trained by DAI in June through TOT for AAWAZ programme’s three outputs i.e. women and excluded groups political participation, social cohesion and citizen’s voices for accountability was capacitated to replicate training for all field level staff of AAWAZ programme in their respective regions. SPO’s master trainers effectively delivered the training in two parallel groups of 22 participants each simultaneously. AAWAZ staff acquired and strengthened their skills for enhancing women and excluded groups political participation, conflict mapping and dispute preemption/resolution and accountability mechanism for improving social services. Chief Executive, Naseer Memon and Chief of Programs, Zafar Zeeshan attended conclusion of the training event and distributed certificates to the participants.
Election 2013 – A history in the Making
The May 2013 election surfaced as a key milestone on the map of the political history of Pakistan that prompted the transfer of power from one elected civilian government to another, respecting the will of the people of Pakistan. Unlike the two preceding elections in 2002 and 2008 which were characterised by low voter turnout, May 2013 election witnessed an unprecedented voter turnout especially among urban middle class youth and women who for the first time came out of their homes to exercise their right to vote. Other important features of Election 2013 included the proactive role of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), an improved legal framework; a higher level of confidence in the ECP at the national level; a significantly improved voter registration process and Election Day procedures which were observed with some degree of fairness in the urban centres however they were less effectively managed in the rural settings.
SPO Election Cell
Two-Day Consultation on National Human Rights Policy Framework and National Human Rights Defenders’ Mechanism in Pakistan
SPO in collaboration with Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR) and with the financial support of CARE International organized a two day consultation on Human Rights Policy Framework and Human Rights Defenders Mechanism.
ECP urged to shun ‘dictatorial-era’ tactics – April, 5, 2013
KARACHI: Members of the public, civil society, professional bodies and trade unions have expressed their strong disapproval of the tactics being used to push the election process in a certain direction, demanding that no attempt be made by any quarter to vitiate the atmosphere that can lead to subverting the will of the people as the upcoming elections are of crucial importance to the future of the country.
Our battered image: By Naseer Memon
The Christian community experienced another tormenting nightmare some weeks ago when Joseph colony in Lahore was reduced to ashes by an insane mob. While a flurry of belated condemnations from official ramparts followed the incident, it was nothing less than wilfully ignoring a potentially serious situation as the incendiary episode started brewing at least a day before the horror scene occurred.