MINORITY RIGHTS

THE constitution guarantees it and Mr Mohammad Ali Jinnah promised as much on Aug 11, 1947. “We are starting with this fundamental principle that we are all citizens and equal citizens of one state,” declared the father of the nation in the heady days of independence. Twenty-six years later, Mr Jinnah’s ‘fundamental principle’ came to be enshrined in the 1973 Constitution which made it clear that “All citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law.” But the sad reality is that religious minorities in Pakistan continue to be treated as second-class citizens and remain politically and economically marginalised. If anything, their plight has worsened over the years. The dark days of the Zia era saw the creation of a separate electorate system and the introduction of blasphemy laws that are still being used to victimise non-Muslims, often with a view to grabbing their property. More recently, growing intolerance and the spread of Talibanisation has made a perennially fearful situation even more terrifying for the country’s religious minorities. A mere rumour can lead to a lynching, as seen in Karachi last month when a 20-year-old Hindu was beaten to death by co-workers on the suspicion of blasphemy. It later emerged that he may have been the victim of a purely personal vendetta.

On a political level, abolishing the separate electorate system may have enhanced the minorities’ sense of belonging and participation. Socio-economically, however, they remain as removed as ever from the national mainstream and their constitutional rights exist only on paper. Mired in poverty and thereby without a voice, most non-Muslims even lack easy access to public representatives from their own communities, for the latter are often more interested in power and politicking than minority rights. Given this combination of fear, voicelessness and apathy, it is up to the state to ensure that all citizens are treated equally under the law.

Any positive step in this regard, however tentative, deserves to be encouraged. On Tuesday, the Parliamentarians Commission for Human Rights condemned the persecution of minorities by law-enforcement officials and urged the government to put a stop to this practice. Progress here will not be possible without serious and far-reaching police reform, for the crux of the problem lies in this department. True, the police is usually blind to the plight of the unempowered, irrespective of their religion. But minorities are a particularly easy target when it comes to registering false cases or picking up and thrashing innocent people in order to extract bribes. True, heinous crimes are committed with impunity against the poor in this country. But when the victim is poor and a non-Muslim, the prospect of justice being served becomes almost non-existent.

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It is correct that constitution of pakistan has safeguarded minorities rights & as awhole by at large we don,t see any big problems that they been deprived of their rights or they feel threatened.there are very developed countries where there more problems faced by the minorities which we people can better judge living here in Europe.People living in USA,India or other part of the world should be ask which kind ofa religious,racial & social descrimination they are facing,which is never the case in Pakistan. As we know the rights,duties & judicial unjustice in Pakistan is not only faced by the minorities but also by the entire masses of Pakistan.For me terms like minority should not be even used. All are Pakistanis irrespective of their believes.we have struggled together,lived together & facing the same social unjustice most the time.not because of the religious aspect rather due to the lack of a political system & a political structure.We have to to struggle together for the new political system,a honest leadership & for a better future of Pakistan.If any one have studied Islam in his real meaning & spirit should know the rights of every one not only Muslims are fully safeguarded.a real Muslim is very broadminded do not believe on any kind of a social,racial & religious descrimination.we are one,we are facing the same problems & Insha Allah we will all overcome our problems & enjoy together.No one should dare divide us on any bases.We have to show together our national character & unity.

Ps.I do support one electorial system for all why should we give anyone a wrong impression or message.

THE constitution guarantees it and Mr Mohammad Ali Jinnah promised as much on Aug 11, 1947. “We are starting with this fundamental principle that we are all citizens and equal citizens of one state,” declared the father of the nation in the heady days of independence. Twenty-six years later, Mr Jinnah’s ‘fundamental principle’ came to be enshrined in the 1973 Constitution which made it clear that “All citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law.”

More recently, growing intolerance and the spread of Talibanisation has made a perennially fearful situation even more terrifying for the country’s religious minorities. A mere rumour can lead to a lynching, as seen in Karachi last month when a 20-year-old Hindu was beaten to death by co-workers on the suspicion of blasphemy. It later emerged that he may have been the victim of a purely personal vendetta.

On a political level, abolishing the separate electorate system may have enhanced the minorities’ sense of belonging and participation.

Many Hindus have done remarkably well in Pakistan, rising up to level of Chief Justice. Yes, Jinnah was good to Hindus.

Thanks to Jinnah, by & large, minorities in Pakistan do enjoy very favorable status than what happens to minorities in neighboring India, should I mention Indian govt. supported 'Kill Muslim' rampages in Gurjat and other places, killing of Christian Nuns and even raping of tourists. I will skip the genocide in Kashmir for now.

Someones one wonder why didn't Jinnah ask for more land, it would have protected a lot more people, especially minorities.

Priya

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PROFILE: http://www.shaadi-direct.com/priyadas.htm

Miss mushytail,If we really follow the teachings of Islam,we will find out the solution to all these problems.talabanisation has nothing to do with Islam & it was never only a threat to minorities only,more Muslims were targeted & killed than non Muslims.Terorism,extremeism & talabanisation is our problem as a whole.The first main reason for which is the manipulation & exploitation of the people by western support to justify their presence in this & other Muslims regions.the second reason is the non existence of justice in the society which leads towards lawlessness & corruptio of all sorts.Constitution is man made doccument whereas the religion is the holly one in which the rights of all the minorities are comprehensively safe guarded & protected.If we are believers we cannot harm any one all this inhuman activities occures when we distance our selves from the real teaching of the religion & follow the missguided version of it. I am a supporter of the utmost rights of minorities given in the constitution.If we call ourself real Mulims we should be in the first row good humanbeings & than cannot even think of depriving some one from their rights.But I have a general question Very Happy

o the majority of Pakistan enjoys the rights given to them by the constitution?

Well constitution assumes majority is well protected given means and sheer numbers, the topic was about minorities and how well their rights are being protected currently. You may be a bit off topic by dragging religion into the discussion.

Priya

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PROFILE: http://www.shaadi-direct.com/priyadas.htm

I think minorities in Pakistan have a lot of problems just as any Pakistani does but its even worse for them. I think we in the subcontinent have a history of intollerence starting from the division of india, people were forced to leave places that had been their home for hundreds if not thousands of years because of their religion . This kind of bahaviour is inhumane to say the least not to mention countless that were killed . Its a problem if it was,nt we wont be talking about it. Its their right to be treated equally and its extremely disturbing when some of us act like we are doing them a favour by treating them as equals. specially in the case of Hindu minority we should remember that they were here thousands of years before we showed up.

Not sure what problems you are talking about concerning minorities in Pakistan. Are you from minority community ? It seems you are not but have alot of guilt and prejudice against minorities. Maybe you can explain the basis for it?

Priya

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PROFILE: http://www.shaadi-direct.com/priyadas.htm

I dont know how you came to the conclusion that I have prejudice against minorities, or guilt because I dont have any reson to be . I was just saying that in pakistan there is problem when it comes to rights of minorities , I think more needs to be done to make sure they enjoy all the rights. I am not a minority but then again I dont live in pakistan any more . I am a very liberal person when it comes to religion I think there are a lot of other things that are more important. sorry I gave you the wrong impression , did,nt mean to. take care.

I guessed that you are far away and perhaps getting caught in some propaganda news when you claim

"I think more needs to be done to make sure they enjoy all the rights. "

strangely, you continue to say the same without any basis or justification and you are not even a part of minority community, rather baffling.

Priya

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PROFILE: http://www.shaadi-direct.com/priyadas.htm

may be you are right I dont know , but I dont think you have to be part of a certain community to have an opinion . what is really surprising to me is the notion that everything is as good as it gets and nothing needs to be done. If thats what you are suggesting, then I rest my case , and respectfully disagree. I think we are all entitled to our opinion. by the way I liked the previous picture better, not that it matters. nice talking to you again . take care.