German Parliamentarians Discuss Human Rights and Development situation with FNF partners
Manager Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation SPARC Ms Zarina Jillani welcomed the delegation and briefed them on SPARC’s work and its initiative to bring forth emerging child right issues such as child militancy, corporal punishment among many others. She also highlighted the contribution of FNF toward Human Rights, social and political development. After the presentation on the work of SPARC, the members of the German parliament raised questions on children who come in conflict with law and the commonly reported nature of crimes committed as well as bonded child labor and practice of related laws. The parliamentarians agreed on the need for enforcing the Child Protection Bill and related laws in Pakistan as adult laws do not treat children any differently and penalties given in laws prove to be harsh on an already vulnerable child. Parliamentarians shared that the existing criminal litigation system in Germany and the ongoing debate on whether or not age of criminal responsibility be decreased from 14 to 12 years. In Pakistan the age of criminal responsibility is seven, lowest in any country, and SPARC demands that it should be raised to at least 12 years. Bangladesh and Afghanistan have increased this age to nine and ten years respectively.
At this occasion Mr. Anees Jillani also dwelled upon the endeavors of Liberal Forum Pakistan for a sustainable liberal democracy and LFP’s multifaceted work in Pakistan towards the promotion of liberal values for freedom, responsibility, tolerance, social justice, equality of opportunity, combating terrorism and corruption, rule of law, pluralism, supremacy of democratic norms, devolution of power and decision making, and decentralization. The members of Future Youth Group- the youth wing of Liberal Forum also attended the session. The German members appreciated Liberal Forum’s strive for a positive change in society. FNF was represented by the program Coordinator, Ms. Munazza Batool.
Manager Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation SPARC Ms Zarina Jillani welcomed the delegation and briefed them on SPARC’s work and its initiative to bring forth emerging child right issues such as child militancy, corporal punishment among many others. She also highlighted the contribution of FNF toward Human Rights, social and political development. 
