ASIA/PAKISTAN - Administrative elections and voters’ rights: minority groups say “No” to discrimination on religious grounds

Lahore (Fides Service) - The Lahore Commission for Peace and Development which promotes respect for the rights of minority groups in Pakistan has criticised the government for allowing discrimination in the upcoming elections in August and September with regard to Muslim and non Muslim voters. The Commission has called on the government to keep religion and politics separate and to guarantee the same political rights to all Pakistani citizens of whatever belief or religion .
The Commission complains of double standards which penalise Christians. In fact Christians can only vote for Christian candidates. The Commission said this is contrary to pluralism and the idea of a multi-cultural and multi-religious society and called for more liberalisation and democratisation in electoral laws. It underscored that separate voting lists only nurture intolerance whereas lists with candidates of all relgiions build harmony. For the government this method ensures that Christians are represented. But for the commission instead it is contrary to a secular state and curtails the rights of minority groups.
Local elections in Pakistan follow a complicted system and take about a month. These local elections were anounced in March by President Musharraf who said that the next general election will be in 2007.
The Lahore Commission for Peace and Development is an NGO which promotes respect for human rights in general and in particolar the rights of minority groups. Its members are Christians and Muslims. The aim of the Commission, which often works with the Justice and Peace Commission of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Pakistan, is to eliminate intolerance and promote reconciliation, harmony and peace through a network of peaceful organsations and movements.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 12/07/2005 Righe: 26 Parole: 265)