Zero tolerance for hate and violence urged

Academics, lawmakers, activists stress protection of minorities

FAISALABAD:

Participants of a national consultative workshop on freedom of religion or belief have called for stronger legal safeguards, equal citizenship and zero tolerance for hate and mob violence.

They stressed that translating Pakistan's commitments under the Fourth Cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) into practical reforms was essential not only for protecting fundamental rights but also for strengthening the country's international standing and democratic credentials.

The workshop was organised by the Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation (AWAM) in collaboration with the Government College University Faisalabad International Relations Department and Social Science Baha Services (SSBS) under a European Union-funded project. The event brought together historians, academics, researchers, parliamentarians, civil society activists, members of the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), trade unionists and representatives of religious minorities and indigenous communities.

Discussions focused on the protection of minority women and children, civil society's role in safeguarding freedoms, national policy and institutional reforms, protection from religious hate and mob violence, and digital safety for rights defenders.

Members of Parliamentary Minority Caucus Ijaz Alam Augustine and Qudsia Zia Batool said that although political space for religious minorities was gradually expanding, the progress remained slow. They emphasised that sustained engagement between lawmakers and civil society was vital for meaningful reforms and pledged to place the consultation's recommendations before the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-N's central committee.

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Director Farah Zia said pointed to divisions over whether to pursue a federal or centralised model of governance, while certain forces continued to pursue laws and public policies undermining equal citizenship and rights.

Academics argued that existing legal frameworks would remain ineffective without consistent political will. They said religious minorities continued to face barriers to equal political and economic participation and called for meaningful inclusion of non-Muslim citizens as equal stakeholders in national development.

Former parliamentarian Aasiya Nasir and AWAM Executive Director Sonia Javed indicated a failure to effectively address forced conversions and child marriages.