Mainstreaming all citizens: Equal rights for minorities urged

Consultative session gave feedback on eight bills

ISLAMABAD:

Rights activists at a discussion proposed amendments in the drafts of legislative bills on minority rights here on Tuesday.

The objective of the draft bills is to assist the parliamentarians in general and members of freedom caucuses formed for bringing reforms in the prevailing legal framework through mainstreaming minorities at all levels.

Speaking at a local hotel, technical consultant Ali Imran shared details regarding the proposed amendments, whereas Nadia Tariq Ali shared the process of establishment of Religious Freedom Caucuses in the National Assembly and provincial assemblies of Punjab and Sindh.

These forums bring together 78 parliamentarians across the country to generate policy debate at the highest forum political forums in the country. “We are working with ministry of human rights, National Commission for Human Rights and lawmakers for better legislation as well as implementation of the same,” she added. She said that suggestions would be shared with relevant ministries and bodies of the government.

Ashok Chand, a member of Hindu community, said that existing legislation does not address the issue of Hindu family laws, including marriage registration, force conversion etc. Mohan Kumar, a participant, said that a known criminal person in Karachi asked him to convert.

William Pervaiz, moderator at the roundtable discussion, said that amendments in the constitution are essential. He was of the opinion that any kind of delay in this regard may have dire consequences for minorities.

Rizwan Saeed, a rights activist, said this is a positive effort and there is need to pursue it future too.

The consultative session focused on providing feedback on the eight bills shared by the Pattan Development Organisation, under the Pakistan Religious Freedom initiative.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 23^rd, 2015.