‘Extremism mocks majority, minorities’
HRCP expresses its disappointment at continuing enforced disappearances and illegal detentions across the country.
LAHORE:
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Sunday condemned the increase in threats to right to life and freedom to practise their religious beliefs of citizens.
In a press release issued after the conclusion of the HRCP council meeting on Sunday it expressed its disappointment at continuing enforced disappearances and illegal detentions across the country, especially in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “This endemic malaise has proliferated in conjunction with the plague-like spread of sectarian violence in Pakistan,” it said.
It said rising intolerance and extremism on the basis of religious and sectarian identity was to blame. “This makes a mockery of the majority’s belief as well as mocking others’ religious beliefs,” it said.
It said that instances of the use religiosity in state institutions were increasing. It cited a recent Peshawar High Court (PHC) order to grant bail to an alleged brothel owner on the condition of her attending a madrassa one hour daily for a month. “Such precedents should be singled out and condemned unreservedly,” it said.
It said the use of blasphemy law to persecute religious minorities should also be highlighted and exposed. It asked authorities to dismantle all sectarian organisations and implement the ban on militant organisations.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 8th, 2012.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Sunday condemned the increase in threats to right to life and freedom to practise their religious beliefs of citizens.
In a press release issued after the conclusion of the HRCP council meeting on Sunday it expressed its disappointment at continuing enforced disappearances and illegal detentions across the country, especially in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “This endemic malaise has proliferated in conjunction with the plague-like spread of sectarian violence in Pakistan,” it said.
It said rising intolerance and extremism on the basis of religious and sectarian identity was to blame. “This makes a mockery of the majority’s belief as well as mocking others’ religious beliefs,” it said.
It said that instances of the use religiosity in state institutions were increasing. It cited a recent Peshawar High Court (PHC) order to grant bail to an alleged brothel owner on the condition of her attending a madrassa one hour daily for a month. “Such precedents should be singled out and condemned unreservedly,” it said.
It said the use of blasphemy law to persecute religious minorities should also be highlighted and exposed. It asked authorities to dismantle all sectarian organisations and implement the ban on militant organisations.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 8th, 2012.