ISLAMABAD: The Human Rights Cell of the Pakistan People’s Party on Tuesday expressed concern over the delay in establishing a Minorities Commission as mandated by the 2014 Supreme Court verdict.

A statement issued by the cell said that it had urged swift action to address the challenges faced by minority communities in Pakistan.

In the statement, the PPP Human Rights Cell president said the commission should be formed under an act of Parliament rather than through an executive order.

“Given the rising incidents of intolerance, forced conversions, misuse of religion-based laws, and discrimination against minorities, it is imperative to establish a robust and autonomous Commission in line with the Supreme Court’s directive,” the statement read.

The cell also recommended utilizing the expertise gained by the one-man commission led by Shoaib Suddle, which was set up by the Supreme Court over a decade ago. “While the Suddle Commission served an important purpose, relying on individuals creates fragile structures. Its guidance should be used to lay the foundation for a statutory commission before phasing it out,” the president stated.

Emphasizing on provincial involvement, the Human Rights Cell underscored the need for provincial minorities commissions in addition to the federal one, in line with the 18th Amendment. It suggested that federal legislation could serve as a prototype for provincial assemblies, similar to the establishment of provincial commissions on the Right to Information, the Status of Women, and human rights.

“For a nation of nearly 250 million, with a significant number of minorities facing various challenges, it is crucial to have such commissions at both federal and provincial levels,” the statement added.

Also emphasising on alignment with international principles, the PPP cell said that the federal Commission must adhere to the Paris Principles to ensure its autonomy and effectiveness.

“Currently, none of the statutory commissions, including the National Commission on Human Rights and the National Commission on the Rights of the Child, meet these principles.

“As a result, they lack voting rights at international platforms like the UN Human Rights Council,” the statement noted.

Farhatullah Babar, senior PPP leader, called for placing the commission under the Ministry of Human Rights rather than the Ministry of Religious Affairs, which is already burdened with matters like Haj.

“This is a human rights issue, not a religious one,” he asserted.

The proposed commission should be representative of minorities rather than dominated by bureaucrats. Its broad mandate would include implementing the 5 percent job quota for minorities, monitoring the Evacuee Property Trust, ensuring compliance with international agreements and court verdicts, visiting detention centers housing minority individuals, and recommending appropriate legislation.

The PPP Human Rights Cell concluded its statement by urging the government to prioritise the establishment of the Minorities Commission, ensuring protection and equality for all citizens, regardless of their faith or background.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2025