Peshawar: Human rights defenders and political representatives convened in Peshawar for the "Strengthening Democracy: Delivering on Pledges regarding human rights" conference, organized by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ). The gathering emphasized the urgent need for the Pakistani government to take decisive steps to combat religious intolerance and enforce human rights protections more robustly.
Peter Jacob, the Executive Director of CSJ, emphasized the dire consequences of allowing religious factions to manipulate politics for their gain, hindering essential progressive reforms. He pointed out that discriminatory practices rooted in religious differences foster violence and hatred against minorities, with extremism often cloaked in misinterpreted religious doctrines. Jacob advocated for the establishment of an inquiry commission to pinpoint the causes and hold accountable those exploiting blasphemy laws for personal or political vendettas.
Dr. Khadim Hussain of the Awami National Party highlighted the systemic obstacles to equal human rights, citing issues such as unequal citizenship status and resource distribution, poor governance, terrorism, and pervasive religious intolerance. These issues, he noted, fuel discriminatory practices within the governance framework.
Bishop Earnest Jacob and Dr. Sawera Parkash from the Pakistan Peoples Party echoed the sentiment that political parties must prioritize their electoral promises concerning human rights reforms, especially those affecting religious minorities. They called on citizens to vocally oppose human rights abuses and urged legislators to advocate effectively within their assemblies and platforms.
Wazir Zada, a former PTI MPA, supported comprehensive measures such as establishing laws against child marriage and forced conversions, creating a statutory National Commission for Minority Rights, and implementing rules that allow minority prisoners educational remissions for religious studies.
Representatives from various political spectrums, including Shakeel Waheed Ullah of the Qaumi Wattan Party and Muhammad Faheem, emphasized the equal rights and dignity of religious minorities. They stressed the importance of fair treatment and equal opportunities for all citizens, urging political factions to foster inclusivity and prevent the marginalization of minorities in decision-making processes.
The conference served as a platform for robust discussions on improving the human rights landscape in Pakistan, with a clear focus on enhancing social cohesion, ensuring fair representation, and implementing the landmark Jillani judgment regarding minorities' rights. Participants left with a renewed commitment to urging political leaders to translate promises into tangible actions that uphold justice and equality for all citizens of Pakistan.
