Courtney McGrail
Pakistan’s parliament has discussed two legislative bills directly affecting minority religions. Amid ongoing abuses of the country’s blasphemy laws – and the uncertain position of imprisoned Asia Bibi – politicians have discussed both the establishment of a ‘Pakistan Minority Rights Commission’ and a law to prevent forced conversions.
Under proposals for a Minority Rights Commission, that body would be made up of representatives of 11 members drawn from religious and ethnic minorities and would be tasked with protecting human rights and promoting equality for all.
Meanwhile, a bill to prevent forced conversions has been drawn up to prevent minors from converting until they are 18 years old. According to a local NGO, the Centre for Social Justice, the proposed law aims to protect those “kidnapped, raped and forced into Islamic marriage or slavery”.