A Pakistan delegation led by the Secretary of Human Rights, Senator Mumtaz Zehri, and Senator Khalil on Thrusday will submit reports drafted by the National Commission on Human Rights (NHCR) on the implementation of all forms of racial discrimination at Geneva.
The report highlights the fact that the country lacks an understanding of racial discrimination as it is not defined under any domestic statute.
Over the last three and half years, NHCR indicates an “exponential rise in the numbers imprisoned for blasphemy in Pakistan, from nine cases in 2021 to 750 cases in 2023.”
During 2023, in Sindh, allegedly, “136 forced conversion cases occurred, the majority of whom were Hindu women and girls,” the report stated
Quoting civil society, the report mentions, ‘‘Terrorism cases against minority communities in Punjab were 142 and 47 in Sindh, which is higher than the previous year’’.
Chairperson (NCHR) Rabiya Javeri Agha said, ‘’Pakistan is a home to the rich tapestry of ethnic groups and religious minorities; while the diversity is a source of cultural richness, it also presents significant challenges related to ethnic and racial discrimination’’.
The report calls for introducing programmes to curb extremism and hate speech, establishing special police units, emphasising tolerance, reforming Madrassa education, and promoting human rights responsibilities.
