May 28, 2008	Wednesday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 22, 1429

ISLAMABAD, May 27: The Parliamentarians Commission for Human Rights (PCHR) has expressed grave concern over what it said increasing incidents of persecution of minorities at the hands of law-enforcement agencies and urged the government to take steps for safeguarding their rights.

The commission termed the attitude of the law enforcers discriminatory towards minorities. It demanded that the government should ensure that all rights of minorities are fully protected in line with international standards.

A meeting was held at the PCHR office here on Tuesday in which officials of the commission and Peace World Wide discussed issues especially related to the rights of minorities. Mohammad Shafique Chaudhary represented the PCHR whereas the PWW was represented by its chairman Hector Aleem. They also discussed loopholes and lacunas in the existing laws regarding minorities, especially the blasphemy law and its misuse.

Mr Chaudhary deplored that despite clear instructions from the government that preliminary inquiry be conducted through superintendent of police, low-ranking police personnel continued to register cases against minorities. “These low-ranking police don’t understand the sensitivity of the matter which causes unrest amongst minorities,” he said.

He said members of religious minorities were subjected to harassment and violence, adding that police, at times, refused to prevent such actions or charge persons committing such things. Citing Article 25 (Equality of Citizens) of the constitution, he said it showed that all citizens are equal before the law and entitled to same protection. Similarly, Article 36 provides for special protection of minorities, he added.

He urged the government and civil society to join hands for the betterment of minorities and protection of their rights according to international treaties. He also proposed that human rights educational institutions be established where policy makers, members of the judiciary, human rights activists, lawyers and police are imparted necessary knowledge about fundamental rights particularly the rights of minorities. “This will enable policy makers to frame proper policies ensuring the protection of rights of the vulnerable sections and minorities,” he said.

Special orientation sessions be arranged to make police aware of their responsibilities especially towards minorities, he stressed.

He also suggested that minorities be given their due share in jobs in accordance with their population. The government should ensure sanctity of places of worship of the minority communities. He proposed that district committees/complaint cells be set up for the redressal of minorities problems.

Mr Hector Aleem raised the recent incident which took place in Hafizabad and requested the PCHR chief coordinator to take up the matter with relevant authorities.

He said discriminatory approach on the part of government functionaries not only marginalised the minority communities but also resulted in socio-psychological depression amongst them.

Mr Chaudhary assured the delegation that he would raise the issue and take steps to preempt occurrence of such incidents in future.