The Competency and Reliability of Child Witnesses under the Qanun-e-Shahadat Order, 1984: A Critical Analysis in the Context of Pakistan
Keywords:
Child Witness, QSO, Child Protection, Child Abuse Case, Competency of WitnessAbstract
The trustworthiness of children who give evidence in Pakistan’s court plays a big part, especially when the issues are child abuse, domestic violence, or sexual assault. QSO leaves out various laws that guide the suitability and safety of child witnesses as testifiers because it lays little emphasis on children. The text takes a critical look at the laws related to child witnesses under the QSO and highlights missing elements, for instance, no formal process for determining a child’s competency, no adjustments in courtrooms designed for young people, and deficient training of professionals. Looking at the laws and policies of the UK, India, and the USA, the article recommends several changes, such as adopting testing tools to check a witness’s readiness, making courtrooms focused on children’s needs, and taking extra measures to limit the trauma suffered by child witnesses. It is also acknowledged in the article that having a strong witness protection law and connecting it to child protection laws will help guarantee the security and health of individuals involved. The findings state that making Pakistan’s laws line up with the best practices of other nations protects child witnesses and ensures fair court results. All in all, the article suggests making legal changes to ensure fair treatment and protection of minors who come before the courts.
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