Islamabad, March 7, 2024 – In a crucial step toward safeguarding minority rights, a consultation organized by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) called for the urgent establishment of a National Commission for Minorities Rights. This meeting, a confluence of national human rights institutions, lawyers, and human rights experts, addressed the inefficacy of a hastily passed bill by the National Assembly that lapsed in the Senate.
The consultation was attended by notable figures in law and human rights, including Peter Jacob, Farhatullah Babar (Former Senator PPP), Dr. Shoaib Suddle (Chairman One-man Commission), and others. They underscored the need for institutional protection of minorities in Pakistan to combat embedded inequality of rights based on religion and strengthen the rule of law and good governance.
The participants raised concerns about the manner in which minority rights commissions had been previously established by governments, citing issues like the lack of a sound legal basis, restricted mandate, incompetence, lack of autonomy, and insufficient resources. This, they argued, resulted in negligible progress toward policy reforms and addressing complaints related to minority rights.
Emphasizing the urgency, the consultation noted that coalition partners of the federal government, including PML-N, PPP, and MQM, have pledged in their 2024 election manifestos to establish a statutory national commission for minorities' rights. They urged the federal government to consult with human rights experts, draft a comprehensive bill, and establish a commission with a broad mandate for policy recommendations, investigating complaints, and proposing remedies for human rights violations.
The group suggested that the prospective commission should not only reflect religious diversity but also function as a human rights institution rather than a religious body. The representation of the Council of Islamic Ideology or the Evacuee Trust Property Board was deemed unnecessary, aligning with the standards set by other National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) on human rights, child rights, and women's rights.
Concluding the meeting, the CSJ initiated the formation of a working group tasked with drafting a comprehensive bill in accordance with the UN Paris Principles and the directives of the Supreme Court of Pakistan issued in 2014. This group aims to work collaboratively with federal ministries, legislators, and political parties to introduce this bill in the parliament, marking a significant move towards ensuring the rights and protection of minorities in Pakistan.
This initiative reflects a deep-seated commitment to ensuring that minority rights are not only recognized but also effectively protected and promoted in Pakistan. The proposed commission is seen as a beacon of hope for achieving greater equality and safeguarding the rights of minorities in a nation where they have long faced challenges. The efforts of the CSJ and the participants of this consultation signal a progressive step in the journey towards a more inclusive and equitable Pakistan.
