A ray of light

It is rare for our lawmakers to tackle head on a topic of cultural sensitivity such as violence against women

It is rare indeed for our lawmakers in parliament to tackle head on a topic of cultural sensitivity such as violence against women, and that in the context of a body that is increasingly anachronistic — the

Council of Islamic Ideology (CII). A parliamentary panel chaired by Senator Nasreen Jalil was discussing a range of issues relating to the human rights situation nationally. The Functional Committee on Human Rights (FCHR) was sharply critical of the CII and its recent statements relating to the rights of women, some of which have been critically received around the world, not only in Pakistan. The FCHR also challenged the legal standing of the CII, something that has never happened at this level before. Grasping the bull firmly by the horns Senator Farhatullah Babar was of the view that statements by the CII essentially incited incidents of violence against women and had contributed materially to the rise of such violence. It is difficult to disagree with him.

Despite its constitutional legitimacy (and substantial public funding), the CII is an organisation well past its sell-by date. It submitted what was supposed to be its final report in 1997 yet it continues to function, have access to the corridors — indeed the levers — of power and it should cease and desist from doing so at the earliest possible date. The senator went on to say that it should be for the law and justice division to give legal advice as to the legitimacy of the CII. This is a welcome development even if the chances of actually seeing the back of the CII are remote, there are too many vested and highly conservative interests protecting it. The CII plays to the lowest common denominator, fuelling populist primitivism aimed at maintaining a position of subservience for women and legitimising violence against them. It is bodies such as the CII that invite international ridicule and contempt, and undermine any argument that Pakistan is making advances in the cause of human rights and the rights of women specifically. The sooner it slouches off into oblivion the better.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2016.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.