Daily Archives: September 15, 2022

Something you might have noticed over the last several years is that Donald Trump is a big fan of violence. Not directly getting involved in violencehed never dirty his hands in that waybut inciting people to engage in it on his behalf, the most famous example being the time he incited an insurrection at the US Capitol that left multiple people dead. Which is why it was more than a little disturbing when he warned on Thursday that there would be big problems if he were indicted for hoarding top secret government documents at his house.

In an interview with conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, Trump said that he didnt believe the people of the United States would stand for charges against him from the Justice Department, adding that such charges would lead to problems in this country, the likes of which perhaps weve never seen before. Asked exactly what he meant by problems, Trump continued to use coded language that few would find difficult to parse. I think theyd have big problems. Big problems, he said. I just dont think theyd stand for it. They will not sit still and stand for this ultimate of hoaxes.

Obviously, at no point in the interview did Trump literally tell his supporters to engage in violent acts if he is prosecuted, but thats probably because he knows he doesnt have to. While Trumps allies have insisted that he never explicitly told people to attack the Capitol on January 6, many of the rioters interpreted as much from his speech, as the ex-president encouraged his supporters to fight like hell. Asked by Hewitt how he would respond to legacy media calling him out for inciting violence this time around, Trump said: Thats not inciting. Im just saying what my opinion is. I dont think the people of this country would stand for it.

In the nearly month and a half since the FBI searched his Mar-a-Lago residence for classified documentsones that a Trump lawyer claimed had already been returnedthe ex-president has spent most of his time attacking the government, baselessly accusing federal agents of planting evidence at his house, and otherwise whipping his supporters into a misinformed frenzy. Unsurprisingly, there has reportedly been, per Politico, an uptick in threats against federal law enforcement in the aftermath of the Mar-a-Lago search, which the Senate Judiciary and Homeland Security committees were briefed on this week. It was stunning, the number of threats that have been cataloged since the August 8 search of Mar-a-Lago, Senate Judiciary chair Dick Durbin said, noting the armed man who showed up at an FBI field office in Ohio in the days following the raid. Its a much more dangerous environment because of the political statements made by some individuals since August 8its alarming to me. Specifically calling out Trump, he said: Inviting a mob to return to the streets is exactly what happened here on January 6, 2021. This president knew what he was doingand we saw the results. His careless, inflammatory rhetoric has its consequences.

Last month Attorney General Merrick Garland condemned the broadsides that right-wing commentators, GOP lawmakers, and supporters of the ex-president had been leveling at FBI agents since the raid. I will not stand by silently when their integrity is unfairly attacked, Garland said during a press conference. The men and women of the FBI and the Justice Department are dedicated, patriotic public servants. Every day they protect the American people from violent crime, terrorism, and other threats to their safety while safeguarding our civil rights. They do so at great personal sacrifice and risk to themselves. I am honored to work alongside them.

Trump, of course, had a long history of inciting violence even before January 6. In addition to telling rallygoers to knock the crap out of anyone who showed up to one of his events holding a tomato, hed also previouslyinstructedpolice officers to let suspects heads knock against the side of their squad cars;toldsupporters, in reference to a protester whod been ejected from an event, Id like to punch him in the face;fantasizedabout Second Amendment people preventing the appointment of liberal judges; andendorsed the assault of reporters.

Visit link:
Trump All but Calls For Another January 6 If Hes Indicted Over Classified Documents - Vanity Fair

Angela Underwood

Jan Willem van Hofwege // Shutterstock

Passing the U.S. citizenship test is a vital step toward becoming an American citizen. To pass the civics portion of the test, an applicant must correctly answer six of up to 10 oral U.S. history and government-related questions administered by a U.S. citizen immigration services officer. The questions come from a pool of 100 possible questions.

The questions tell the story of how the 13 colonies fought against Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War; how the U.S. Constitution came to be; and how the federal government was formed by the founding fathers including Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, John Adams, and James Madison.

They also cover U.S. history through World Wars I and II, the Great Depression, the Vietnam War, the Cold War, and 9/11. Some questions require knowledge of the Democratic and Republican parties and the workings of the U.S. Congress.

After passing the test, paying a fee, and completing all other necessary steps and paperwork, applicants who were once considered foreigners become full-fledged American citizens under the U.S. Constitution. Once naturalized, new citizens are entitled to the full rights of a person born in the United States.

Stacker has compiled a list of the 100 questions and answers on the civics test and formatted them like a quiz in the following gallery. Think you can pass the test with flying colors? Read on to see just how tough the questions areand how solid your high school history class recall is. Kicking things off, here's the first question:

#1: What is the supreme law of the land?

You may also like: Your guide to the Cabinet of the United States

Daderot // Wikimedia Commons

Answer #1: The Constitution.

The U.S. Constitution, written in 1787 in the Pennsylvania State House, was ratified by the original 13 colonies in 1788 and went into full effect in 1789 when 38 delegates from each state signed the document. The master copy of the constitution, comprised of seven articles, is on display at the National Archives in Washington D.C.

Question #2: What does the Constitution do?

Ed Uthman // Flickr

Answer #2: Sets up the government; defines the government; protects basic rights of Americans.

The U.S. Constitution sets up the government into three branchesexecutive, legislative, and judicial. The executive branch consists of the U.S. president, the vice president, the Cabinet, and members of all federal agencies, departments, committees, and commissions. The legislative branch includes the U.S. Congress, which is made up of the Senate and House of Representatives. The judicial branch is the U.S. Supreme Court and other federal courts. The rights of American citizens are protected under government laws and by elected members, who must be of a certain age to serve.

Question #3: The idea of self-government is in the first three words of the Constitution. What are these words?

Pixabay

Answer #3: "We the people..."

All citizens of the U.S. are included in the first three words, "We the people," of the U.S. Constitution's preamble.

Question #4: What is an amendment?

Felman // Shutterstock

Answer #4: A change (to the Constitution); an addition (to the Constitution).

The U.S. Constitution has more than two dozen amendments, changes or additions to clarify its meaning and include provisions not included in the first draft. The changes to the original draft range widely. Notable amendments to the U.S. Constitution include the freedom of religion and speech, the right to bear arms, the abolition of slavery, and allowing African American men and all women to vote.

Question #5: What do we call the first 10 amendments to the Constitution?

Charles Haire // Shutterstock

Answer #5: The Bill of Rights.

The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, written by James Madison in 1791, are known as the Bill of Rights. The amendments were added to protect citizens, expand freedoms, and to limit government power. After several representatives objected to the 10 changes, a decision was made to place the Bill of Rights at the end of the document under Article VII, rather than directly editing the original text.

Question #6: What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?

You may also like: Political Cartoons From The Last 100 Years

Anthony Correia // Shutterstock

Answer #6: Speech; religion; assembly; press; petition the government.

There are five fundamental rights in the First Amendment. The first two allow people the right to say and believe whatever they want; the third allows people to assemble peacefully; the fourth allows people the right to report the news without government censorship; and the fifth allows people the right not to be witnesses against themselves in a criminal case.

Question #7: How many amendments does the Constitution have?

Public Domain // goodfreephotos

Answer #7: 27

The 27 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, including the first 10 in the Bill of Rights, vary widely. The changes made to the original 1787 draft include the direct election of U.S. senators; limiting a president to two terms; the establishment of the federal income tax; allowing women and African Americans to vote; and the abolition of slavery. The only amendment to be repealed was the Eighteenth, which barred the sale and consumption of alcohol in 1919. Alcohol was made legal in 1933 with the creation of the Twenty-First Amendment.

Question #8: What did the Declaration of Independence do?

Action Sports Photography // Shutterstock

Answer #8: Announced independence (from Great Britain); declared independence (from Great Britain); said that the United States is free (from Great Britain).

The Declaration of Independence, written on July 4, 1776, was the first document that declared 13 colonies in America would become sovereign and separate from the Kingdom of Great Britain. Members of the Continental Congress, including Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Livingston, and Roger Sherman, created the document together. The Declaration of Independence is the first of three founding documents of the United States government, including the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

Question #9: What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?

Bev Sykes // Wikimedia Commons

Answer #9: Life; liberty; pursuit of happiness.

The first two rights of the Declaration of Independence guarantee the rights of citizens to exist frequently. The third right, the pursuit of happiness, is commonly understood to refer to the right to one's own wealth and property.

Question #10: What is freedom of religion?

ildintorlak // Shutterstock

Answer #10: You can practice any religion, or not practice a religion.

The freedom of religion is also known as the separation of church and state. This amendment prohibits the government from making citizens practice a particular set of moral beliefs. There are two accurately named sections in the First Amendment that concern religion. The Establishment Clause forbids the government from setting up a system of faith or favoring one religion, and the Free Exercise Clause prohibits the government from barring the exercise of faith or lack thereof.

Question #11: What is the economic system in the United States?

You may also like: Defining historical moments from the year you were born

javen // Shutterstock

Answer #11: Capitalist economy; market economy.

Capitalist and market economies make up the U.S. financial system. A capitalist economy consists of private owners and corporations manufacturing goods with minimal government involvement. A market economy is the supply and demand system operated by individual owners and corporations, who produce and price products, and compete to be leaders in their respective industries.

Question #12: What is the "rule of law"?

sergign // Shutterstock

Answer #12: Everyone must follow the law; Leaders must obey the law; Government must obey the law; No one is above the law.

No man, woman, or child, regardless of his or her economic, education, or societal status, is removed from the regulations set forth by the three branches of government. Even the president, who is commander-in-chief of the U.S. Armed Forces, must follow specific laws to remain the leader of the country.

Question #13: Name one branch or part of the government.

Alex Wong // Getty Images

Answer #13: Congress; legislative; president; executive; the courts; judicial.

One branch of the government is the U.S. Congress, which is made up of two chambers including the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate is considered the more powerful committee, which is made up of fewer members who collectively hold different rights from those of the House, including the sole authority to conduct an impeachment trial or to reject a presidential appointee to either the executive or judicial branch.

Question #14: What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

Michal Kalasek // SHutterstock

Answer #14: Checks and balances; separation of powers.

There must be a check and balance system between the three brancheslegislative, executive, and judicialof government to assure each entity only exercises its specific responsibilities. Each branch has the capacity to affect the decisions of other branches in specific ways. This separation of powers prevents any one branch of government from dominating its counterparts, keeping the federal system fair and equal.

Question #15: Who is in charge of the executive branch?

Ad Meskens // Wikimedia Commons

Answer #15: The president.

The executive branch is made up of the president, vice president, and Cabinet, and the president is in charge as the head of government and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The Twenty-Second Amendment forbids any person elected to the office of the president from serving more than two consecutive four-year terms. There have been 13 presidents who have served two terms, including Grover Cleveland, who served in nonconsecutive periods.

Question #16: Who makes federal laws?

You may also like: Oldest national parks in America

Jesse Collins // Wikimedia Commons

Answer #16: Congress; Senate and House (of Representatives); (U.S. or national) legislature.

Federal laws are created when the U.S. Congress passes legislation, the president signs an executive order, and/or a federal court decision is reached based on the U.S. Constitution. When the U.S. Congress creates and passes bills, the proposed legislation must be approved and signed by the president to become federal law.

Question #17: What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?

Katherine Welles // Shutterstock

Answer #17: Senate and House (of Representatives).

The two chambers of the U.S. Congress include the Senate and the House of Representatives. The upper chamber is the Senate, which is made up of two senators from each of the 50 states. The lower chamber is the House of Representatives, which is made up of a variable number of representatives from each state and the District of Columbia based on that state's population. Since 1911, there have been 435 representatives in the House at any given time.

Question #18: How many U.S. Senators are there?

Public Domain // Wikimedia Commons

Original post:
Could you pass the U.S. citizenship test?: There are 100 questions on the civics section of the U.S. citizenship test. Applicants are asked ten of...

M4A1 Carbine | Photo: IIIBlackhartIII via Pixabay

A gun-rights advocacy group filed a lawsuit in federal court against the City of Highland Park on Wednesday, alleging their assault weapons and high-capacity magazine bans are a violation of the Constitution.

The National Association for Gun Rights (NAGR) filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Plaintiff and Highland Park resident Susan Goldman owns semi-automatic firearms and magazines that can hold more than 10 rounds, according to the lawsuit.

Goldman stores her firearms outside of the city limits, in accordance with a 2013 ordinance banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

She [Goldman] is especially aggrieved by the fact that the Citys prohibitions require her to store her arms outside the city limits, which requirement renders the arms useless for the defense of her home, the civil complaint said.

NAGR refused to use the term assault weapon in their lawsuit, calling it a rhetorically charged political term.

The group challenged the citys ban, citing the Second Amendment and the U.S. supreme court cases of District of Columbia v. Heller, McDonald v. City of Chicago and New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen.

NAGR asked the court to declare sections of the ordinance unconstitutional on their face or as applied to the extent their prohibitions apply to law-abiding adults seeking to acquire, use, transfer, or possess arms that are in common use by the American public for lawful purpose.

A victory here will establish good legal precedent throughout the entire circuit, including Wisconsin and Indiana, the group said in a statement.

NAGR also filed four other lawsuits against states or cities across the country, including Naperville.

States have been ignoring the Second Amendment and the HellerandMcDonalddecisions for far too long and law-abiding gun owners are sick and tired of their unconstitutional antics, which disarm millions of Americans, President of the National Association for Gun Rights Dudley Brown said.

In light of the Bruendecision and the success weve had in suing localities in Colorado, were going after every Federal Circuit Court which has upheld egregious firearms bans. They must immediately overturn their assault weapons and magazine bans and our suits argue just that, Brown said.

The Highland Park City Council passed a resolution in August supporting statewide and federal bans on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.

The resolution called them a threat to our American freedom.

It came after a mass shooting in the city during a Fourth of July parade left seven people dead and over 45 injured.

Robert Crimo III, 21, of Highwood, was charged with 21 counts of first-degree murder, 48 counts of attempted murder and 48 counts of aggravated battery with a firearm.

Crimo allegedly fired a total of 83 rounds using three 30-round magazines from his Smith & Wesson M&P 15 semi-automatic rifle, Lake County Assistant States Attorney Ben Dillon said during a bond hearing in July.

The Lake County Board passed a similar resolution supporting state and federal legislation to ban the sale and possession of assault rifles.

NAGR asked the courts to strike down the gun control laws, hoping to establish a nationwide precedent.

We are simply asking for the courts to enforce the Supreme Courts pro-gun Bruen ruling by re-evaluating and striking down each of these gun control laws under the new national standard which outlaws gun controls that are not consistent with the text, history, tradition of the Second Amendment as required in the Bruen decision, Brown said.

Original post:
Group files federal lawsuit against City of Highland Park for 'assault weapon,' high-capacity magazine ban - Lake and McHenry County Scanner

Northwell Health, New York states largest health care provider, has been a leader among organizations trying to reduce gun-related violence in the United States. In 2020, it created a center thats dedicated to that effort. In this article, its CEO and the head of the center offer five steps that leaders of all organizations can take to help address this public health crisis.

As leaders at Northwell Health, New York states largest health care provider, weve seen mass shootings and other random acts of gun violence become deadlier and more frequent. In 2021, the United States experienced more firearm-related deaths than any year on record 48,832 to be exact, according to provisional data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Firearms are now the leading cause of death among children and adolescents. Across our own health system, weve already seen more firearm injured patients this year than any other in our history. While our nation struggles to find solutions to this epidemic, hospitals, health systems, businesses, and all other types of organizations have a responsibility to take an active role in reducing gun violence in America.

The gun safety legislation approved by Congress and signed into law by President Biden in June (known as the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act) was certainly a welcome first step. But theres still much work that must be done to reverse the continuing spike of firearm injuries whether it be firearm-related homicides and violence, suicides, unintentional injuries, or mass shootings that are plaguing communities.

The only way thats going to happen is if members of the business community and other sectors recognize gun violence as the public health crisis that it is. Here are five steps that leaders of organizations can take right now to help prevent gun violence for the sake of their communities, consumers, and employees:

This is an approach embraced by Northwell and a growing number of other health systems and corporations nationwide. In 2020, we created a Center for Gun Violence Prevention to use data-driven strategies to chart a public health approach to gun violence prevention and lead our efforts across health care and community settings to address the underlying causes of gun violence in the New York area and beyond. One of us (Chethan Sathya) was appointed to head it because of his experience as a pediatric trauma surgeon who has treated many children with gunshot wounds and his passion for pursuing prevention efforts.

Creating a dedicated unit headed by a committed frontline champion and supported by a passionate C-Suite leader one who is ideally already engaged with local community and business leaders demonstrates an organizational commitment to address this public health crisis. It empowers employees to have open dialogue and share experiences, lead prevention efforts in their own communities, and become agents of change throughout their own institution. This works wonders in inspiring people to find common ground and support practical solutions, rather than engaging in Second Amendment debates mired in politics.

Depending on your organizations employee makeup and a community assessment of the type of gun violence most prevalent in your area, it may make sense to focus on one type of firearm injury such as firearm homicide and violence, suicide, or unintentional injury or a particular age group.

One candidate to consider is gun violence affecting children and adolescents, which has surpassed motor vehicle crashes as the leading cause of death for children in America. According to the most recent finalized data, all firearm-related deaths in the United States totaled 45,222 in 2020, a 13.9% increase from 2019, while those of children and adolescents (persons up to 19 years of age) skyrocketed by 29.5%. This public health crisis is having an especially devastating effect on Black children and adolescents.

In addition to being less polarizing politically, focusing on gun violence affecting young people gives organizations the opportunity to find common ground with parents from all communities and interact with young people in ways that can make a real difference.

Investments in community violence intervention and programs that address inequity and social determinants of health such as employment and food insecurity can have a big impact. These initiatives can help break the cycle of violence by helping young people get on a better path where they can avoid becoming victims or instigators of gun violence.

Another initiative that can make a major difference is one aimed at getting more gun owners to store their weapons safely, significantly reducing the risk of firearm injury among children and family members in the household. Its estimated that 4.6 million children in the United States live in homes with at least one loaded and unlocked gun. Eight American children are killed or injured every single day with an unsecured firearm. And 80% of the guns used in mass shootings committed by children under the age of 18 are unsecured weapons owned by parents, relatives, or friends. Numerous studies conducted over several decades have shown that access to unsecured firearms in the household substantially increases the risk of firearm injury and death.

Employee education can be a powerful means to reduce gun violence among your own employees and the community at large. In our health system, we not only educate our employees about gun safety; we also screen our patients who may be at risk of gun violence in the communities where they live and work and provide preventative resources when needed.

With the help of a $1.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, clinical team members at three Northwell hospitals are screening and counseling all patients who have access to firearms on safe storage practices, providing them with gun locks, and connecting those living in communities with high risk of firearm violence to community services aimed at keeping them safe and out of trouble. You can do the same with your employees.

We also encourage you to include a training module on gun safety and firearm-violence prevention during the onboarding process or and in other training programs. Given that there are 400 million guns in America, the more education we do about safe firearm storage, responsible gun ownership, and ways to prevent firearm violence the better.

Work closely with your human resources leaders to develop materials for employees and a corporate strategy to respond after gun violence occurs locally. They include information on the following:

If your organization has the resources, support local groups that are trying to reduce gun violence. If your organization is in a city, chances are there are community violence intervention (CVI) programs. They work directly with people who are at risk of committing gun violence or becoming victims of it. Such personalized, high-touch support and interaction can interrupt cycles of conflict that drive a significant portion of gun violence. CVIs also serve as a bridge between hospitals and the communities which is important since hospitals can screen patients to identify those at risk of suffering firearms-related injuries and can provide preventative resources.

If you want to also focus on promoting firearm safety and safe storage practices, there are many groups you can work with. They include law enforcement, health care, mental health organizations, responsible gun owners, advocacy groups, schools, and government all of whom often have diverse initiatives focused on firearm safety in the community.

Just as leaders of private and public sector organizations helped mitigate the impact of Covid-19, you can help support public health campaigns to reduce gun violence. You can talk about this issue with your employees and peers, in public appearances, and on social media. You can advocate for policy changes rooted in public health principles like safe storage and violence intervention, and you can support the need for more research funding. Without better data and better research, we will never be able to make meaningful progress on curbing this epidemic. And by taking a public stance, you can help reframe gun violence as an apolitical public health issue.

We strongly believe that the most effective public health solutions to gun violence must come from the federal government in the form of universal background checks, a ban on weapons of war, safe-storage requirements, research funding, and investments in trauma-informed care and mental health. That said, every private and public sector organization has a part to play in curbing this epidemic.

If leaders of corporations and other large organizations decide that the needless bloodshed ravaging the United States every day is unacceptable, they can help turn the tide. As health care leaders, every ounce of our effort goes into saving lives and helping people live healthy and safely. We want and need broad-based support. Please join us.

Originally posted here:
How U.S. Businesses Can Help Reduce Gun Violence in Their Communities - HBR.org Daily

I would like to write and tell you the reasons we need a good governor, like Darren Bailey, in office to help restore Illinois.

Darren Bailey has fought for the community, the kids and the parents.

Reopening the economy and schools: As governor, he will work to fully reopen the economy and our schools, attract new business, and fuel job creation in Illinois.

Pro-life: As a man of faith, Darren is proudly pro-life and will always stand up to protect the rights of the unborn. As governor, he will continue to defend innocent life.

Second Amendment: Darren is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and an advocate for the constitutional right to bear arms. As governor, he will continue to protect the Second Amendment.

Education: Darren, along with his wife, founded a preschool through grade 12 Christian school in southern Illinois and he understands the importance of access to quality education. As governor, he will advocate for common sense education reforms that put our children first.

Taxes: Darren firmly believes in fiscal responsibility and knows that every penny matters. Raising taxes hurts hardworking Illinois families and is not a solution for a state with some of the highest tax burdens in the entire nation. As governor, he will work to lower both property and income taxes.

Agriculture: Darren is a third-generation farmer who owns and operates his own family farm today. He knows that agriculture is the backbone of Illinois economy. As governor, he will stand up for his fellow, hardworking farmers.

Government transparency: Darren Bailey fights for the working people, not the political elites. As a legislator, he refuses state pension benefits. As governor, he will promote transparency and ensure safeguards against powerful government overreach.

To restore Illinois, we need Bailey in office.

DawnBergeron,Bloomington

Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly!

More:
LETTER: We need Bailey to restore Illinois | Letters | pantagraph.com - The Pantagraph

Photo by Christy PorterLPD Chaplain Paul Richardson (left) participates in training with the department to ensure his safety, the safety of the officers (Officer Kaleb Berkshire, center, and Summersville Police Chief A.J. Reef, right, shown here), and the safety of the public when he is assisting law enforcement on calls.

By Christy Porter, Managing Editor

Licking Assembly of God Senior Pastor Paul Richardson is an integral part of the Licking Police Department as volunteer chaplain. Richardson took the more formal volunteer position after the departure of Darius Wentz, already having an established relationship with the LPD. Pastors in the Licking community consistently work with the police department providing faith-based Christian assistance when necessary, such as with the Ministerial Alliance.

Richardson has completed additional training and certification to join the police department in this capacity. As a small town boy, he grew up being comfortable with guns, hunting and participating in competitive pistol shooting. Being a part of the LPD training makes him more comfortable with the different scenarios that may take place when joining law enforcement on duty. However he emphasizes that every citizen who practices their second amendment rights should get training; it is a big responsibility.

Chaplains do not make arrests, give tickets or execute other police duties. But like any concerned citizen, a chaplain will not hesitate to jump into a situation if an officer or someone is in danger, clarified Richardson.

Primarily, chaplains provide a sense of calm in the midst of challenging situations. Thats why hospitals, hospices, the military, and even the prisons utilize chaplains. In law enforcement, chaplains provide a sense of calm through presence, conversation, counseling, and other pastoral and spiritual practices, said Richardson. Chaplains can be called upon to assist in death notifications, calm families during a tragedy or provide support during domestic situations.

Another aspect of the chaplaincy is being available to the officers when they need to talk. I ride with them on some of their shifts, providing conversation during uneventful shifts and a second set of eyes or hands during more eventful shifts.

This experience makes Richardson more aware of the levels and complexity of law enforcements job. He is always available, and often present for the raw moments, acting as counselor, therapist and mediator, and monitoring the situations as they unfold, working as a part of the team. Seeing places in the community that were, literally, previously unknown to him, even after 12 years in the community, has been somewhat of a surprise.

Mostly, chaplaincy is a ministry of presence: Just being there can be helpful to families, communities, or officers during the midst of tragedy, summarizes Chaplain Richardson.

More:
Providing a sense of calm The Licking News - The Licking News

Islamabad : A consultative meeting was convened by the National Commission on the Rights of Child (NCRC) to discuss the proposed amendments in the NCRC act, 2017 to make the Commission a fully independent National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) as enshrined in the Paris Principles.

The meeting was presided over by Jawad Ullah, the Acting Chairperson from NCRC. Those who attended the meeting included Chief of Child Protection UNICEF Daniela Luciani, Child Protection Specialist UNICEF Farah Ilyas, legal experts and representatives from civil society including Child Rights Movement (CRM) and NACG Pakistan.

Acting Chairman Jawad ullah shared the objectives of the consultation where the amendments are being proposed in NCRC Act, 2017 to cure the shortcomings of the original statute ensure adequate representation of all provinces in its constitution and empower it for advancing the cause for which the NCRC is established.

Atta Ul Mustafa, Legal Advisor, explained the theory and practice of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRI) in Pakistan. He explained how the presence of well defined mandate is integral for the effective functioning of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRI).

Furthermore, Chief of Child Protection section UNICEF of Pakistan, Daniela Luciani acknowledged and appreciated the efforts of National Commission on Rights of Child for the protection, promotion and advancement of child rights. She further stressed that presence of a coherent legislation, governing the mandate of NCRC, is imperative for the effective functioning of the commission.

Legal experts Tayyab Ali Awan and Laiba Qayyum, proposed the NCRC (Second Amendment) Bill 2022 for discussion before the relevant stakeholders from civil society. The rationale behind the proposed amendments was to strengthen the mandate of the commission, stipulate a coherent process of appointment and removal of members, and allocate a seat for Gilgit-Baltistan in the commission to ensure its adequate representation. Additionally, the extension of suo-moto powers to the commission were also discussed to effectively curtail the violation of child rights.

Dr Rubina Fareed (Member ICT) concluded the meeting and thanked the participants for their contributions. She further stated that before finalization of the Amendment Bill she will take government stakeholders on board and incorporate recommendations The Federal Government has constituted the National Commission on the Rights of Child in exercise of powers conferred by Section 3(1) of the National Commission on the Rights of Child Act, 2017 (XXXII of 2017) under a notification issued on February 28, 2020. The Commission has an overarching mandate in accordance with international obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Child (UNCRC) and for matters related to the promotion, protection and fulfilment of child rights as enshrined in the NCRC Act 2017.

Read the original:
Consultation held on amendment to child rights act - The News International