Human Rights Mechanism in Sindh

Human Rights Mechanism in Sindh includes:

  1. Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC): The SHRC is an independent statutory body established under the Sindh Protection of Human Rights Act, 2011. Its mandate is to promote and protect human rights in Sindh, investigate violations of human rights, and make recommendations to the government to improve the human rights situation in the province.
  2. Sindh Human Rights Department: The Sindh Human Rights Department is responsible for promoting and protecting human rights in the province. It develops policies and programs related to human rights, investigates human rights violations, and provides support to victims.
  3. Complaints Cell: The Sindh government has established Complaints Cell to receive and investigate complaints of human rights violations.

As a province of Pakistan, Sindh is subject to the human rights mechanisms that exist at the national level. The Constitution of Pakistan guarantees fundamental rights to all citizens, including the right to life, liberty, and security of person, freedom of speech and expression, freedom of association, and freedom of religion.

At the national level, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) is an independent organization that monitors and reports on human rights violations throughout the country including in Sindh. The HRCP conducts investigations, publishes reports, and advocates for human rights reforms. Other organizations such as the Pakistan Human Rights Organization (PHRO) and the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) also work to promote and protect human rights in Sindh. 

In addition, international human rights mechanisms, such as the United Nations Human Rights Council and various treaty bodies, also play a role in promoting and protecting human rights in Pakistan, including in Sindh. Pakistan has ratified several international human rights treaties, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) which require the country to respect, protect, and fulfill the human rights of its citizens. Pakistan is under is currently under a number of reporting obligations such Universal Periodic Review, UN core Human Rights Conventions and GSP+.  Treaty Implementation Cell has been established in Sindh to to effectively implement ratified conventions and to report regularly on the progress being made. The provincial Line Department for Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Human Rights heads the Sindh Treaty Implementation Cell.

Overall, these human rights mechanisms play an important role in promoting and protecting human rights in Sindh. However, there are still many challenges and issues that need to be addressed to ensure that human rights are fully respected and protected in the province.