Kashmiri Child labour protested against the forced labour in Muzaffarabad

Kashmiri Child labour protested against the forced labour in Muzaffarabad

Muzaffarabad - June 12, 2014:

The children of Kashmir engaged in forced labour have protested in front of Central Press Club Muzaffarabad by demanding the State authorities and Government of Azad Jammu & Kashmir for legislations and taking solid steps ensuring their rights. The children are working in sanitary, motor workshops, hotels, domestic child worker, Load transportation and local construction work. The Innocent tear shedding children demanded ban on domestic child labour in Muzaffarabad; and provide free education, nutrition, health and protection. A large number of people from civil society have joined them; while the Child Rights Movement (CRM) and its member organization; Sustainable Development Organization (SDO), Durawa Development Organization (DDO) and Khushi International have made Solidarity with the labour children.

Nazir (a child labour) while taking with media “I wish to get education, but no one supported me to get education; even my family didn’t afford my expenses. That’s why I am forced to be engage as labour in crush and sand carriage”. He demanded that Government of Azad Jammu & Kashmir should provide me free education as other countries are providing their all children.

The children protesting demanded the State authorities should ban the domestic child labour in Azad Kashmir. They specially stressed to end slavery of the children who are working in the homes of officers in Kashmir.

While a tear shedding innocent child told that he is engaged in domestic labour from 3 years and he has to face the cruel behavior and often their master beat them He demanded that “I wish to get education, toys and beautiful uniforms like other children enjoying in my surroundings.

In this occasion Khurram Jamal Shahid a Child Rights Activist said “Its urgent needed that AJK Government should also legislate “Child Marriage Prohibition Bill” and “Corporal Punishment Bill” like four provinces of Pakistan to stop the forced and early marriages, ban on child labour and Prohibition of corporal punishment in Azad Kashmir. Furthermore its need that Government of Azad Jammu & Kashmir should establish a separate department for Child Welfare & development so as to proper address the issues and bridging the gaps to promote the child rights”.