HRFP to rally for minorities’ rights

Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) on Monday announced to hold a grand rally outside the parliament house on August 11 to force the government to ensure the protection of minorities’ rights.
Speaking at a news conference here at the National Press Club, HRFP President Naveed Walter flanked by other representatives said 5 per cent of the country’s total population belonged to minorities while a majority of them were deprived of basic facilities. He added there were so many cases of injustices registered against innocent minority people. He criticised the representatives of the people in the parliament, saying all their leaders were puppets in the hands of the government, adding they could neither speak against its wrong policies nor could they raise voice for their the rights of their respective communities.
He further said that in view of the great discrimination with the minorities, their organisation had decided to hold a grand event to highlight the rights of minorities.
Watler said the day was not too far when Hindus, Christians and Muslims would hold the same political identity. He emphasized that immediate steps were needed to solve the problems being faced by the minorities. “All the laws in favour of minorities should be implemented according to the UN Charter and the discriminatory laws ended,” he added.
He pointed out that the women belonging to the minorities were going through a critical time due to non-provision of basic rights. He said Hindu women were particularly facing many problems in the absence of marriage registration law. He further said all the temples confiscated by the government should be handed over to the Hindus at once.
The HRFP representatives demanded the election of minorities’ representatives through votes instead of giving them reserved seats. They said the minority people who were detained in jails without committing any crime should be released on priority basis.