March 13, 2024
By Bilal Baseer Abbasi
ISLAMABAD:
The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) held a consultative meeting aimed at gathering input from local stakeholders regarding the establishment of a National Commission for Minority Rights on March 12 in Islamabad.
The participants discussed the urgent necessity for institutional safeguards to rectify inequalities and strengthen foundations of rule of law and governance for minorities in Pakistan. They also expressed concerns about inadequate legal framework, lack of autonomy and insufficient resources in addressing issues pertaining to minority communities.
Participants emphasised that any delay in legislating for the formation of such commissions would only prolong the resolution of enduring human rights issues faced by minorities. They urged the government to promptly enact legislation to establish the commission, which would be entrusted with making policy recommendations, investigating complaints, and proposing remedies for human rights violations.
It was proposed that the envisioned commission, as outlined by participants, should operate independently, and encompass religious diversity. It should primarily function as a human rights institution rather than a religious body. They advocated against representation from the Council of Islamic Ideology or the Evacuee Trust Property Board, aligning with the precedents set by other national human rights institutions focused on human rights, child rights, and women’s rights.
The attendees resolved to establish a working group tasked with drafting a comprehensive bill in line with the UN Paris Principles and directives issued by the Supreme Court of Pakistan on June 19, 2014 (SMC No. 1 of 2014). Also, they pledged to collaborate with federal ministries, lawmakers, and political factions to introduce the bill in the parliament.
Distinguished figures including Farhatullah Babar, Dr. ShoaibSuddle, Zafarullah Khan, Shafique Chaudhary, Dr A.H.Nayyar, Pirbhu Lal Satyani, Syed Raza Ali, and Aftab Alam attended the event.