Netherlands offers Punjab help in upholding rights

The Netherlands Ambassador Henny de Vries has expressed the desire to explore further avenues for cooperation between the European country and the Punjab government in the areas of human rights, interfaith dialogue and protection of religious minorities.

Provincial Minorities Affairs Minister Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora held a meeting with the ambassador, during which the importance of mutual cooperation and collaboration in the human rights and protection of religious minorities in Punjab was emphasised.

The minister highlighted the Punjab government's efforts to ensure protection and equal rights of religious minorities. He said the Punjab Human Rights and Minorities Affairs Department would be the first institution in any province to formulate a five-year strategic plan for the purpose.

He said the Punjab chief minister had provided special grants at Diwali celebrations, increased the budget for minorities by 200 per cent and announced the issuance of 'minority cards' to 50,000 families in the near future.

For the first time, scholarships are being provided to children from ten minority communities from the matriculation to PhD levels and their two per cent quota in higher education was being implemented, he added.

Arora emphasised the need for international support in strengthening the global human rights framework and said the Punjab government was committed to creating a society where people of all religions could freely practice their beliefs without facing any form of discrimination.

The minister discussed the department's capacity-building efforts and requested support from the Netherlands for training staff through various technical courses.

According to an official statement, the Netherlands ambassador praised the Punjab government's initiatives in promoting religious tolerance and harmony and reiterated the commitment to supporting human rights globally.