Pakistan: Apex court orders formation of task force for protection of minorities

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The order further stated that those responsible for religious hate speech on social media must be brought to justice and children who face harassment at their schools because of their religious beliefs should also be protected.


Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: The Express Tribune
By ET Staff | June 19, 2014

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the federal government to form a task force to ensure religious harmony and protection of the rights of minorities, Express News reported.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Tassaduq Hussain Jillani read out the court’s 32-page order which states that the task force will be responsible for protecting places of worship and ensuring the safety of minorities.

The order further stated that those responsible for religious hate speech on social media must be brought to justice and children who face harassment at their schools because of their religious beliefs should also be protected.

The top court ordered that a national council should be formed to overlook the protection of minorities and should give its recommendations to ensure their security and well being.

The court also asked the registrar to form a three-member bench to ensure that the order is carried out. The new bench will also take up any cases related to the abuse of minorities.

Background

Jillani had earlier said that the apex court will ensure the protection of minorities’ rights by setting guidelines in this regard.

Hearing a petition filed by the Sindh Hindu community representative Ramesh Kumar about six recent incidents where their places of worship were desecrated, the chief justice had lamented that it was unfortunate that constitutional provisions related to the protection of minorities rights have not been enforced in the country.

CJP Jillani had said that in addition to the Objective Resolution, Article 20 of the Constitution also ensures protection of minorities’ rights, however, these constitutional provisions have not been enforced in the country.

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