Written by: Nasir Saeed
Article Source: Claas UK
The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday ordered the formation of a National Council for Minorities’ Rights, a move aimed at strengthening the protection and promotion of minority rights in the country. This directive follows a series of important judgments that have underscored the need for such measures, particularly a landmark 2014 ruling by former Chief Justice Tasadduq Hussain Jillani. This judgment was a response to the tragic terrorist attack on a church in Peshawar and broader threats to minority communities.
Justice Jillani’s 2014 verdict was a pivotal moment for minority rights in Pakistan. It called for extensive measures to safeguard these communities from discrimination and violence.
The newly mandated National Council for Minorities’ Rights will be tasked with monitoring the implementation of minority rights, recommending policy changes, ensuring the enforcement of job quotas for minorities in both federal and provincial services, and addressing hate speech, especially on social media platforms. The council would also be mandated to frame policy recommendations for safeguarding and protecting minorities’ rights by the provincial and federal governments.
The 2014 decision by Justice Jillani emphasized Pakistan’s historical and constitutional commitments to protecting minority rights. During the Pakistan Movement, the All India Muslim League championed the protection of religious freedom, a principle that became a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foundation. The Supreme Court’s ruling also referenced various international human rights frameworks, including the United Nations Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to justify the establishment of the council.
The apex court also ordered the formation of a special task force to protect minorities’ worship places, saying, “Special Police Force [to] be established with professional training to protect the places of worship of minorities.” The proposed task force would devise a strategy to ensure protection of minorities’ rights.
Despite the clear directives from the 2014 ruling, previous efforts to implement these measures have encountered significant challenges. In 2019, a commission led by Dr. Shoaib Suddle was established to enforce the judgment, but progress has been slow. Persistent issues such as inadequate state action, lack of awareness among law enforcement, and systemic barriers have continued to impede the protection of minority rights.
The Supreme Court’s latest order reiterates the urgent need for immediate and effective action. It also includes specific measures such as forming a special police force to protect minority places of worship and developing educational curricula that promote tolerance and social cohesion. This ruling reflects a renewed effort to ensure that minority communities in Pakistan are afforded the same rights and protections as all other citizens.
This decision represents a significant step towards addressing long-standing issues of discrimination and marginalization. The establishment of the National Council for Minorities’ Rights is expected to play a crucial role in promoting equality and safeguarding the rights of minority groups in Pakistan.
Nasir Saeed, Director of CLAAS-UK, expressed his appreciation for the Chief Justice’s order. He highlighted that despite the landmark 2014 judgment by Chief Justice Hussain Jillani, there has been a notable lack of progress in implementing the court’s directives. Civil society members, particularly Christian NGOs, have continuously called on successive governments to take concrete steps to enforce the judgment. However, these calls have largely been ignored, resulting in ongoing challenges for religious minorities in Pakistan. Saeed emphasized the importance of this latest order by the Supreme Court, expressing hope that it will finally lead to meaningful action. He urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government to fully commit to implementing the Supreme Court’s directives, addressing the long-standing issues faced by religious minorities, and ensuring the protection of their rights and places of worship. Saeed’s detailed statement underscores the critical need for sustained and effective measures to promote and protect minority rights in Pakistan.
For more information, contact Nasir Saeed: info@claas.org.uk
T: 02081506763 W: www.claas.org.uk
About CLAAS:
Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS) is an interdenominational organization working for Christians who are being persecuted because of their faith in Pakistan. CLAAS works for religious freedom, to stop persecution of Christians in Pakistan because of blasphemy and other discriminatory laws, raise awareness, disseminate information and highlight the plight of Christians on an international level. CLAAS provides free legal aid to victims of religious intolerance in Pakistan, as well as shelter and financial support for the victims and their families.
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Date published: 21/07/2024
Photo: wikipedia.org
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