Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lahore (Agenzia Fides) - The National Commission for Justice and Peace, of the Bishops’ Conference of Pakistan, has issued a statement calling for an increase in respect for human rights in the country on a political, economic, social, and cultural level. The statement was presented to the government, having been signed by the Executive Secretary Peter Jacob and Bishop Lawrence Saldanha, President of the Commission and of the Bishops’ Conference of Pakistan. The document asks that the new government establish an authentic “lawful government,” avoiding abuses and violations on human dignity and on the unalienable rights of each citizen, whatever his race, language, or religious beliefs may be.
“The mandate sent to the current government by the people of Pakistan clearly reflects a desire for a system based on equality for all citizens, beyond social classes, color, or creed, and in harmony with the vision of the country’s father Ali Jinnah,” the statement said.
The Commission has favorably received the inaugural address of the new Premier Yousaf Raza Villani, however it also mentions the question of intolerance and discrimination that is present in the society: laws, norms, and rules deserve a special attention, so that religious extremism may no longer have free reign, and that it may rather be fought and eliminated. With this in mind, the Commission asks that the new government “eliminate the discriminations and prejudices that exist in politics and public education,” and that they guarantee equal opportunity in economic, social, and occupational development to communities that are often victims of marginalization.
“The state should observe the international standards for human rights,” the Commission requests, asking that they ratify the International UN Convention on Political and Civil Rights, as well as that on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights. These are the challenges being presented to the government by the Catholics who reaffirm their role in creating social awareness on these issues.
In recent days, the Justice and Peace Commission, registered in Pakistan as a NGO, received an intimidating request from a government office warning that they refrain from promoting the publication, “Pakistan, land of religious apartheid and repressive justice,” published by the Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR), headquartered in New Delhi. The Commission responded by saying that they did not have nor did they promote copies of the publication, although they did recognize the ACHR as a credible and trustworthy NGO. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 7/4/2008 righe 33, parole 394)
