Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lahore (Agenzia Fides) – Protection and respect for the rights of religious minorities in Pakistan is still one of the aspects of social and political life that shows signs of needing legislative reform. This is what a Memorandum written by the “Justice and Peace” Commission of the Pakistani Bishops' Conference has said. A copy of the document was sent to Agenzia Fides.
The document is also signed by other Church organizations and movements of civil society in Pakistan.
After having been written at a time in which they have observed Parliament's legislative action and the political activity of the new government, the Memorandum was sent to the Minister of Human Rights, Mumtaz Alam Villani, and the Minister for Minority Affaits, Shahbaz Batti, to indicate the situation of the religious minorities and call for a reform package. With this intervention, they will test the true will behind Ali Zardari's government, whether or not it is serious about resolving the delicate questions at stake.
The Commission mentions that “changes in the constitution, laws and polices have become necessary to ensure the restoration of the civil, political, social, cultural and economic rights for all citizens.”
Resolving the social and economic crisis in the nation and assuring security and peace all depends on the protection of human rights, the text noes.
The government is asked to form two independent and permanent commissions: one for human rights and the other for religious minorities, to monitor the situation and enumerate the abuses.
One of the key points, the Memorandum says, is the complete abolishment of the so-called “Law of Blasphemy,” which condemns whoever offends the name of the profet Mohamed, but which is often used to indict non-Muslim citizens. The Commission asks that a census be taken of all the religious, ethnic, and cultural minorities, to assure that they enjoy full social, economic, judicial, and political rights, as well as fundamental rights such as education and healthcare.
The text recalls that the nation's founder, Ali Jinnah, in Pakistan's Constitution, established it as a multicultural nation, in which all citizens were to have the same rights. Thus, they encourage the government to take necessary measures in abolishing all forms of discrimination.
Lastly, one of the fundamental freedoms that most needs protection is that of freedom of religion, from whence all other human rights derive. Religious minorities should be able to freely practice their faith along with the other people who are also free to join them.
8 million (of the country's 160 million) are members of non-Muslim minorities in the country, including Christians (4 million), Parsi, Sikh, Bahai, Ahmadi, and others. A large portion of this population is poor, illiterate, and socially marginalized. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 11/3/2009)
