Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lahore (Fides Service) - More than 700 cases are reported each year concerning Christian girls kidnapped, forced to marry Muslim men and forced to convert to Islam. And many cases pass unreported. This is what is reported to Fides by the local church sources, committed to combat this phenomenon, now in the spotlight for the case of Farah Hatim, Catholic girl kidnapped, converted to Islam and forced to marry in the city of Rahim Yar Khan in southern Punjab ( see Fides 7,8,9 / 6 / 2011).
The case sees the mobilization of the Christian community in Pakistan and civil society, with the aim to raise awareness to the institutions: the "Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, non-governmental organization founded by the lawyer Asma Jahangir, who has activated canals, promoting investigation of the case. The Commission publishes an annual report and monitors respect for human rights in the country. The Commission intends to see clearly "in a case that represents a" blatant violation of individual human rights", according to a source of Fides within the Commission. The lawyer Asma Jahangir is a character of great importance in Pakistan: the woman President of the Association of Lawyers at the Supreme Court, known for her commitment to human rights and women's rights, and is a very authoritative voice. It is hoped that action by the Commission can help to unblock the situation, to bring out the political conspiracies and abuses committed also by public officials in the story of Farah.
The case of Farah, meanwhile, has already crossed the borders of Pakistan, as it is emblematic of an unsustainable situation of violation of freedom of conscience and religion, and touches a hot spot in relations between Muslims -Christians: the conversions. The Congress of Canada has been informed about the case, and is promoting a specific policy initiative to urge the Canadian government to make an important step toward the Pakistani government, while some members of the Italian Parliament intend to bring the matter to the attention of Italian and European institutions. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 10/06/2011)
