Item 2: Question of the human rights violations and fundamental freedoms

Question of the human rights violations and fundamental freedoms. including practices of racial discrimination and segregation, in all countries, with particular reference to colonial and other dependent countries and territories: report of the Sub-commission under Commission on Human Rights on Human Rights resolution 8 (XXIII)

Pakistan

Mr.Chairman,

The population of Pakistan consists of 97 percent Muslims and 3 per cent minorities made up of Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Ahmadies, Scheduled Caste and others.

Pakistan is involved in all kinds of human rights violations against its people and remained unable to formulate, develop and implement an International rule against human rights violations. Human Rights in the country are largely evaluated based on religious affiliation and today Pakistan is a symbol of intolerance, human rights abuse, Islamic fundamentalism and terrorism.

The victims of violations include members of all social classes, groups, ages and professions particularly the Christians, Ahmadies, Hindus and other minorities. Social and religious discrimination against religious minorities exist at a very high level. There are still places where non-Muslims are not allowed to use the same utensils and tables and are refused services at barbershops. Discrimination at work place is very common. Promotions and salary increments are blocked for the non-Muslims.

Politically, lives of the religious minorities have been downgraded through the system of Separate Electorate, imposed by General Zia Ul Haq in 1985. Under this system, member of the religious minorities can neither vote for Muslim candidates nor can they stand as candidates in Muslim electorates. The separate electorate is an apartheid system based on religion. For religious minorities, this electorate system has proved catastrophic, leading to enhanced religious intolerance which is evident in the increased attacks on properties belonging to religious minorities, their places of worship and women of minority groups. There is also a growing rate of registration of blasphemy cases against the religious minorities.

The social subjugation, economic deprivation and religious discrimination of the religious minorities are due to the absence of equal rights in Pakistan.

Pax Romana recommends:

• The human rights of all citizens of Pakistan be recognised, respected and protected without any discrimination based on caste, gender and ethnicity. The religious should not be ostracised on religious grounds.
• The constitution of Pakistan and statutory (articles and sections) that discriminate against religious minorities and are a source of communal disharmony must be repealed in total and without any delay. These laws include inter alia, Blasphemy Law, laws of evidence and Shariat Act.
• The government must denounce religious apartheid and take affirmative steps towards religious heterogenity and harmony through public policies to ensure participation of religious minorities in all spheres of life.
• Promoting religious intolerance against other religions and their followers in the media (drama, film and print) should be checked.
• The system of separate electorate is flawed, biased, unjust and an inadequate mode of political participation. Therefore, this system must be done away with, and joint electorate system be restored.
• The recommendations of the Commission of Inquiry for Women 1997 be implemented without any delay.
• The government should constitute a permanent Tribunal for (religious and other) minorities, where complaints on human rights violations can be heard and redress on an urgent basis. There is also a dire need to constitute an impartial and independent Commission of Inquiry to study the situation of religious minorities and make recommendations to the government and people of Pakistan.