Pak Senate Bill: Human rights body can also scrutinise armed forces

Islamabad, Mar 12 (ANI): The armed forces will not be immune from scrutiny of the new National Commission of Human Rights (NHCR) if it commits human rights violations, a text of the National Commission of Human Rights Bill, 2012, as passed by Senate, has said.

The commission will have to investigate all such cases of abuse, including those committed by intelligence agencies.

"It (the bill) shall empower the NCHR to proceed even in respect of armed forces, which means army, navy, air force and all other civil armed forces including the military intelligence agencies," The Express Tribune quoted Senator Khurshid Ahmed of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), as saying.

Senator Khurshid, who is also member of the sub-committee that considered the bill including amendments to it, said: "The bill is a major milestone for Pakistanis."

The NCHR, which will be headed by a judge of the Supreme Court or a person having demonstrable knowledge of matters relating to human rights will be able to "take suo motu notice, or a notice on a petition presented to it by a victim or any person on his behalf, inquire into complaints of violation of human rights or negligence in the prevention of such violation, by a public servant."

According to amendments introduced by the upper house of parliament, this bill will have the power to seek reports from the federal government and make recommendations to the federal government. (ANI)