An exterior shot of the Punjab Assembly. PHOTO: EXPRESS
The legislators in collaboration with a social welfare organisation are all set to table the bill, similar to the one adopted by Sindh Assembly in November last year that is currently under re-consideration after creating furore in the religious circles.
PPP may revisit bill against forced conversions
The proposed law, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, is named ‘Punjab Criminal Law (Protection of Minorities) Act, 2016 and even recommends life terms for the convicts in some instances.
Strict punishments
The bill draft states any person accused of compelling any individual to change their religion can be imprisonment for five years or life imprisonment in addition to a fine, which would be paid to the victim. Any offence punishable under this act shall be cognisable, non-bailable and non-compoundable.
In case of forced conversion of an adult, the court shall give the victim 21 days for an independent decision to decide conversion to a new religion before initiating a case. During the time period, the individual may be given an opportunity to study comparative religions.
Additionally, no person shall be deemed to have changed their religion until they have attained the age of 18. Any minor who claims to have changed their religion before that age would be deemed not to have changed their religion.
More forced conversions going on than reported, says MP
Anyone accused of performing, directing, conducting or facilitating the marriage of a forced conversion victim will be imprisoned up to three years and a fine.
In case of forced conversions, the convict will be tried under provisions of Punjab Child Marriage Restrained Act, 1929; Section 498 B, Chapter XVI, Section 375, 376,365 B, 361,364A of the Pakistan Penal Code; as well as Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act 1992.
Safety first
According to Section 7 of the bill, a victim can approach a court for relief and the court is bound not to fix hearing on the application exceeding seven days and will dispose of the matter within 90 days.
Under Section 9, the court having information of forced conversion can order any police officer to search for the victim to help her/him.
Section 12 gives the court authority to take special measures for the victim, including holding the trial in a secure location, providing police protection, prohibiting removal of victim from jurisdiction and initiating immediate, fast-tracked divorce proceedings with the victim’s consent if the accused is found guilty. The court will also provide adequate security to the prosecution witnesses, investigation officer, prosecutors as well as the victim’s family.
‘Sindh’s retreat from forced conversion bill was damaging’
Need of the hour
According to FACES Pakistan, an NGO working on right of equal citizenship, the legislation has come after deliberations on human rights and situation of minorities with people from different walks of life.
The meeting was chaired by Provincial Minister Khalil Tahir Sandhu. During the meeting, the stakeholders shared their recommendations and feedback on the issues related to equal citizenship and human rights, one of which was highlighted as forced conversions.
The NGO has brought together a group of Punjab Assembly members, including Hina Parvez Butt, Kanji Ram, Ramesh Singh Arora, Shahzad Munshi and Tariq Gill, to prepare the draft and bring forth this legislation.
MPA Hina said the bill will be tabled hopefully in the upcoming session. “Conversion cases are largely unreported due to fear,” she said. “This is a much-needed step for Punjab with a deeper meaning of standing against forced conversions.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 22nd, 2017.
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