Pakistan: bishops call for greater legal protection for Christians, Hindus

January 17, 2012

Describing Pakistan as a “democratic country [whose] legal structure resembles a theocratic state,” the justice and peace commission of the Pakistani bishops’ conference is urging the Federal Ministry for Human Rights to take steps to protect the rights of religious minorities.

The bishops’ commission called for the creation of a government commission for human rights and minorities, as well as for “changes in the Constitution and laws and policies to ensure the restoration of civil, political, social, cultural and economic rights to minorities.” The bishops’ statement followed the Punjabi government’s recent confiscation and demolition of Church property.

 

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Further information:

• 8 million religious minorities: a special Commission is urgently needed (Fides)
• Murders, forced conversions, lynchings: Pakistan's sorry religious-freedom record (CWN, 1/16)
• Pakistan: government demolishes Catholic buildings (CWN, 1/13)