HRCP regrets Punjab administration's failure to protect minority community

Rights body calls for strong action against those responsible for Badami Bagh vandalism.

LAHORE: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed grief and anger at the unchecked attack on over 100 homes belonging to the Christian community in Badami Bagh in Lahore on Saturday.

In a statement from the HRCP chairperson Zohra Yusuf, she said it was regrettable that the Punjab administration had not learnt any lessons from previous incidents such as those in Gojra and Shantinagar and had totally failed in providing protection to a minority community under siege.

“Instead of investigating the case, the police arrested Christians while those who went on a rampage and can easily be identified from television footage have gone scot free.”

The release quoted Yusuf as saying that the attack is yet another shameful incident against a vulnerable community and further confirmation of the slide toward extremism in society on the one hand and, on the other hand, the apathy and inaction that has become the norm among the police.

“Handing out compensation cheques is not a solution; strong action against those responsible must be ensured.”