Landmark verdict: ‘Enact family laws for non-Muslims’
Seminar speakers say the govt needs to do more for protection of minority citizens’ rights
Seminar speakers say the govt needs to do more for protection of minority citizens’ rights. PHOTO: AFP
FAISALABAD:
“The government should implement Supreme Court’s ruling on protection of minority groups. An all parties’ conference (APC) should be called to analyse vulnerability of minority groups and commissions, should be formed both at federal and provincial levels, for protection of minority rights,” participants of a seminar said on Saturday.
The seminar, titled Measures to Protect Minority Rights, was organised by Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation (AWAM) and the Rights of Expression, Assembly, Association and Thought (REAT Network). Representatives of Peace and Human Development (PHD Foundation), Peace for Nation International (PNI), Adara Samaji Behbood (ASB) and Lyallpur Development Organization (LDO) were also present.
The speakers said the Supreme Court, in its June 19 judgement, had directed the government to take steps to safeguard rights of minority groups.
They said the SC had called for the formation of a council and a task force to make a strategy for promoting religious tolerance. They said the SC had also advised the government to form a police force to protect minority settlements and places of worship.
The speakers said cases should be moved against those desecrating place of worship. They said religious harmony should be taught at schools and teachers should discourage hate speech.
They said job quotas for minority communities should be enforced.
PHD Foundation Director Suneel Malik said, “The judgement is unique. It discourages violent reaction from extremist groups and attempts to address the problems faced by minority groups in Pakistan.”
“It provides political, legal and administrative mechanisms to deal with the enormous challenge,” he said.
“The government has reconstituted the National Commission for Minorities to promote interfaith harmony and promote a soft image of Pakistan. But it has not been able to make any tangible contribution towards ending discrimination,” he said.
AWAM director Nazia Sardar said the government should establish an independent and autonomous commission for minorities in line with the verdict of the Supreme Court.
PNI chairman Hashmat Barkat said the government should enact family laws for non-Muslims and reform personal laws for Christians.
He said authorities must ensure enforcement of policy directives regarding reservation of quota for minorities.
ASB President Irshad Parkash said, “There has been no increase in the number of seats for minorities in national and provincial assemblies despite a significant increase in minorities’ population. This is a matter of grave concern.”
Awami Workers’ Party’s Arif Ayaz said, “One Supreme Court ruling is not enough to address persecution faced by religious minorities in Pakistan. The government should take practical steps towards its implementation.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 4th, 2015.
“The government should implement Supreme Court’s ruling on protection of minority groups. An all parties’ conference (APC) should be called to analyse vulnerability of minority groups and commissions, should be formed both at federal and provincial levels, for protection of minority rights,” participants of a seminar said on Saturday.
The seminar, titled Measures to Protect Minority Rights, was organised by Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation (AWAM) and the Rights of Expression, Assembly, Association and Thought (REAT Network). Representatives of Peace and Human Development (PHD Foundation), Peace for Nation International (PNI), Adara Samaji Behbood (ASB) and Lyallpur Development Organization (LDO) were also present.
The speakers said the Supreme Court, in its June 19 judgement, had directed the government to take steps to safeguard rights of minority groups.
They said the SC had called for the formation of a council and a task force to make a strategy for promoting religious tolerance. They said the SC had also advised the government to form a police force to protect minority settlements and places of worship.
The speakers said cases should be moved against those desecrating place of worship. They said religious harmony should be taught at schools and teachers should discourage hate speech.
They said job quotas for minority communities should be enforced.
PHD Foundation Director Suneel Malik said, “The judgement is unique. It discourages violent reaction from extremist groups and attempts to address the problems faced by minority groups in Pakistan.”
“It provides political, legal and administrative mechanisms to deal with the enormous challenge,” he said.
“The government has reconstituted the National Commission for Minorities to promote interfaith harmony and promote a soft image of Pakistan. But it has not been able to make any tangible contribution towards ending discrimination,” he said.
AWAM director Nazia Sardar said the government should establish an independent and autonomous commission for minorities in line with the verdict of the Supreme Court.
PNI chairman Hashmat Barkat said the government should enact family laws for non-Muslims and reform personal laws for Christians.
He said authorities must ensure enforcement of policy directives regarding reservation of quota for minorities.
ASB President Irshad Parkash said, “There has been no increase in the number of seats for minorities in national and provincial assemblies despite a significant increase in minorities’ population. This is a matter of grave concern.”
Awami Workers’ Party’s Arif Ayaz said, “One Supreme Court ruling is not enough to address persecution faced by religious minorities in Pakistan. The government should take practical steps towards its implementation.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 4th, 2015.