Initiatives to strengthen rule of law in Sindh (GSDRC Helpdesk Research Report 1206)
This review looks at local, national or international initiatives to strengthen rule of law in Sindh Province, with some examples from wider Pakistan
Abstract
Query
Please provide evidence of local, national or international initiatives to strengthen rule of law in Pakistan, with a focus on initiatives in Sindh. What lessons can be learnt from the literature on these initiatives, with a focus on factors contributing to success?
Overview
Rule of law has long been a concern in Pakistan (Blue et al, 2008). At the request of the enquirer this rapid literature review looks at examples of local, national or international initiatives to strengthen rule of law in Sindh province, with some examples from wider Pakistan. Concerns relating to the rule of law in Sindh include: Difficulties accessing justice for the poor; lack of budget allocations for bodies such as the Sindh Human Rights Commission which prevent it from functioning; dissatisfaction with the police; an overwhelmed judiciary; and rights violations and violence against women and girls.
As a result, initiatives to strengthen rule of law in Sindh include: free legal aid services for the poor and marginalised, including women and youth in prisons; awareness raising and legal empowerment for the poor projects; attempts to modernise the Sindh police and Citizen Police Liaison Committees to improve relations between the public and the police; Alternate Dispute Resolution projects; trainings to strengthen knowledge of human rights, the rule of law and conflict-sensitivity in Sindh’s security and justice sectors; and the introduction of legislation to protect women’s rights. The report also outlines a small number of lessons emerging from the literature in relation to factors contributing to success.
Citation
Rohwerder, B. Initiatives to strengthen rule of law in Sindh (GSDRC Helpdesk Research Report 1206). Governance and Social Development Resource Centre, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK (2015) 12 pp.
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