Karachi, Governor Sindh Kamran Khan Tesori cast his vote in Neelum Colony, emphasizing the importance of a peaceful election process across the province. Following his participation in the electoral process, the Governor addressed the media, underscoring the smooth conduct of polling and the collective responsibility of citizens to vote for a promising future.
According to Sindh Governor House, Tesori highlighted the serene atmosphere at polling stations, noting the satisfactory progression of the voting process throughout Sindh. He acknowledged the attention of the international media on Pakistan’s elections, stressing the significance of every vote in shaping the next five years of governance. The Governor also mentioned the federal government’s decision to suspend mobile services in response to recent terrorist incidents, a measure aimed at safeguarding the electoral process from potential threats. This action, he noted, had already contributed to averting significant disruptions in Karachi.
Governor Tesori issued a stern warning against any attempts to disturb the peace, asserting that political parties or individuals involved in such activities would face strict consequences. His remarks reflect a commitment to maintaining order and security during a critical time for democracy in the region.
The Governor’s vote and subsequent statements serve as a reminder of the stakes involved in the election, urging citizens to exercise their right to vote thoughtfully and peacefully.
Geneva, The United Nations Child Rights Committee (CRC) has released its latest findings on the state of child rights in Bulgaria, Congo, Lithuania, the Russian Federation, Senegal, and South Africa. The report, issued after the CRC’s recent session, evaluates each country’s adherence to the Child Rights Convention, pointing out significant achievements as well as areas in need of improvement.
According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the CRC commended Bulgaria for its efforts in reducing infant mortality rates and implementing policies for deinstitutionalisation and addressing child poverty. However, concerns were raised regarding education, specifically high dropout and absenteeism rates, and disparities affecting disadvantaged children. The Committee urged Bulgaria to focus on enhancing education quality and addressing the root causes of school dropout rates.
In Lithuania, the Committee praised the legal amendments prohibiting violence against children but expressed concern over the continued societal acceptance of such practices. Recommendations included intensifying awareness campaigns about the negative impacts of violence on children and decriminalizing abortion to ensure adolescents have access to safe procedures.
The establishment of the Children’s Parliament and ratification of international conventions were among the positive steps recognized in Congo. Yet, the CRC highlighted challenges such as a lack of birth registrations and the prevalence of child labor, urging measures to eliminate these issues.
For the Russian Federation, the Committee acknowledged the declaration of the Decade of Childhood but voiced serious concerns over the persecution of children expressing political opinions and the politicization of education, particularly regarding the conflict with Ukraine. The CRC called for respecting children’s rights to freedom of expression and education that promotes peace and tolerance.
Senegal’s efforts towards inclusive education were noted positively by the Committee, which also addressed critical issues like female genital mutilation, child marriage, and teenage pregnancies. The recommendations emphasized the need for stronger enforcement of laws and awareness-raising initiatives to protect girls and ensure access to sexual and reproductive health services.
In South Africa, advancements such as the raise in the age of criminal responsibility and improvements in child protection measures were welcomed. Nevertheless, the CRC identified urgent needs to combat violence against children, address child hunger, undernutrition, and malnutrition, and improve healthcare for newborns and young children.
The Committee’s findings reflect a comprehensive assessment of each country’s progress and challenges in fulfilling the obligations of the Child Rights Convention, offering targeted recommendations to improve the welfare and rights of children.