News Desk
Lahore, December 9, 2024:
The People’s Commission for Minorities’ Rights (PCMR) has urged the federal government to avoid creating another powerless National Commission for Minorities, warning that such a body would fail to address the systemic marginalization of religious minorities in Pakistan. In a statement, PCMR emphasized the need for an autonomous and effective commission that meets international standards, including the UN Paris Principles, which mandate a competent and independent composition.
The concerns were raised following a ministerial meeting chaired by Rana Sanaullah, Advisor to the Prime Minister, regarding the proposed establishment of the commission. PCMR Chairperson Peter Jacob, Justice (R) Kailashnath Kohli, Dr. A.H. Nayyar, and Michelle Chaudhry highlighted that previous minority commissions set up over the past three decades have lacked authority and failed to address grievances effectively.
“It is disappointing to see the government repeating past mistakes,” the PCMR representatives said. “Without meaningful powers equivalent to those of the National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), the new commission will be unable to achieve the integration of religious minorities into policymaking.”
The representatives also expressed concerns about the inclusion of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) in the proposed commission, stating that its involvement would undermine the body’s credibility and contradict the constitution, which assigns no role to the CII in matters related to religious minorities.
“The government must ensure that the commission is established as a robust rights body, free from unnecessary influences,” the statement read. PCMR emphasized the importance of consulting relevant rights organizations in the drafting process and ensuring adherence to the 2014 Supreme Court Jilani judgment, which called for proactive inclusion of minorities in national policies.
The commission’s autonomy and adherence to human rights principles are critical, PCMR warned, adding that any weakening of its mandate would be unacceptable. The organization called on the government to demonstrate its commitment to protecting minority rights through meaningful legislative measures.
This article highlights a very important issue. There needs to be a strong and inclusive commission that genuinely addresses the concerns of religious minorities. The reforms shouldn’t just be symbolic but bring real change on the ground. Hopefully, these efforts will lead to a better and safer future for minority communities.