Civil society in Pak opposes filming execution of child rapist

By Hamza Ameer Peshawar, Jan 27 : After an amendment was proposed in the Provincial Assembly of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), calling for permission by the relevant authorities to film the execution of a convicted sex offender preying on children and later make the video public to serve as a warning against such heinous acts, civil society has raised serious and strong concerns over the proposed amendment.
Civil society has said that it was against the constitutional provisions and the top court’s verdict.
Raising questions on the proposed amendment to the KP Child Protection and Welfare (Amendment) Act 2010, members of the civil society challenged the legality of the amendment.
The Child Rights Movement (CRM) in KP, while challenging the legality of the amendment approved by the provincial government, said “The government had decided to introduce amendments to increase deterrence against the menace of child abuse in the province. But it would be challenged if passed in its form due to violation of the constitution.” Valrie Khan, a child rights activist, said the top court had described the public hanging of even the worst of criminals, a violation of human dignity.
“Article 45 of the constitution empowers the President to grant pardon, reprieve and respite, and to remit a sentence passed by any court or tribunal, while clause (c) of Section 54A of the proposed Bill prohibits any such remission in punishment, which is ultra vires of the constitution,” she said.