LAHORE: Transgender persons and civil society organisations and activists on Wednesday announced challenging Federal Shariat Court’s decision against Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018.

Transpersons Nayyab All from Islamabad, Neeli Rana from Lahore, Farzana Khan (Peshawar), Arzoo Khan (Mansehra), Saadia Saeed and Kami Sid (Karachi) and Abhyshay Basharat from Quetta addressed a news conference at the Lahore Press Club.

They said they gathered here to strongly repudiate the FSC’s decision against the law that was passed to protect the rights and status of the community.

They said it was an unconscionable move against a marginalised community.

They strongly condemned the violence, persecution and exclusion that the community faced as a consequence of the decision. They announced that they would challenge this unfair FSC decision at every forum.

The FSC’s decision violates human rights, whereas the Trans Act provides safeguards for trans individuals. This formed the foundation upon which four political parties rallied behind the bill in 2017/2018, leading to its subsequent passage in parliament with a significant majority. The Act ensures compliance with all the UN treaties to which Pakistan is a signatory, thereby obligating the country to incorporate it into its practices and policies.

They said the ongoing debate surrounding the transgender act has resulted in the infringement of the rights of trans people.

Quoting a survey conducted by local organisations, they said a total of 1,046 cases of rights violations and abuse against transgender individuals have been reported between 2019 and 2022.

They said the members of the community have suffered torture and even lost their lives, while the perpetrators continue to roam free without facing any consequences.

They said their religion also promote fundamental principles such as privacy, equality, equity, non-discrimination, and dignity for all.

They said in line with the religion of the majority, Islam also gives communities and individuals rights of privacy, dignity, and justice and this act aligns with the principles of Islam.

They said the Act doesn’t provide any irreligious passage.

Published in Dawn, July 13th, 2023