ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice Federal Shariat Court Justice Dr. Syed Muhammad Anwer directed the Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR) to establish Child Protection Center equipped to deal with exclusive needs of transgender children. Chairperson National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) Rabiya Javeri Agha joined the hearing as Amicus Curiae (expert).
In the court hearing held on Thursday, Chief Justice also ordered establishing a monitoring committee with the representation of Chairperson NCHR Rabiya Javeri Agha, Chairperson Sweet Homes Zamurd Khan and representatives of Akhwat Foundation and transgender community to supervise the process. The Court also directed the MoHR to submit the progress report on both these directives to the court.
As per Court’s notice issued on December 13, 2022, Chairperson National Commission for Human Rights Rabiya Javeri Agha, Chairperson Sweet Homes Zamurd Khan and representative of Akhwat Foundation participated in the court proceedings as Amicus Curiae.
NCHR Chair Rabiya Javeri Agha gave detailed briefing on the existing child protection mechanism. She acknowledged the proactive initiative of MoHR in setting up the Child Protection Center and explained that Center is already functional in the capital. In the past half a year, the Center has already housed a transgender child in this Center. Inclusive education of transgender children is essential and the Commission will help set up SOPs and TORs if need be. However, when a child especial child comes to child protection center, the child needs proper counselling.
In the court hearing held on December 13, Nadeem-uz-Zafar alias Kashish raised the issues faced by trans children before the Court. Responding to that, the Court ordered MoHR to submit report on existence of any center for children born with some defects in their sexual organs. The court expressed concern over the fact that in most cases, these children are abandoned by their families and fall prey to pedophiles and other predators.
