UN urges Pakistan to repeal blasphemy laws

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They further said that Pakistan should send a strong message to the United Nations through the Ministry of Religious Affairs over the recommendation to repeal the Khatam-e-Nabuwat laws.

Times of Ahmad | News Watch | Int'l Desk
Source/Credit: Pakistan Today
By Ahmad Ahmadani | December 16, 2017

ISLAMABAD: Though country’s religious and political parties are pressurising the government to penalise the persons involved in amending the law relating to the finality of prophethood (PBUH), the United Nation (UN) has told Pakistan to end blasphemy laws enshrined in the constitution.

In its 111 point recommendations, the UN has requested Pakistan to repeal blasphemy laws, criminalise enforced disappearances and ensure basic human rights in the country.

“Consider repealing the blasphemy laws established in the constitution and take all the measures necessary to prosecute and punish those who have made false accusations,” said the UN, adding, that the country must “protect all the judges, prosecutors, lawyers and witnesses of blasphemy-related cases.”

As reported in this paper on Friday, the UN recommended the authorities to reinstate a moratorium on the death sentence, if not abolish it completely, besides limiting military’s influence in civilian domain.

In line with the recommendations, the Ministry of Human Rights had forwarded praxis to federal and provincial governments for information and further necessary action, on Thursday.

Raising concerns over the recommendations of UN, officials of the Ministry of Human Rights told Pakistan Today that “world powers are all out to ensure amendment or repealing of the Islamic laws of the country”.

They further said that Pakistan should send a strong message to the United Nations through the Ministry of Religious Affairs over the recommendation to repeal the Khatam-e-Nabuwat laws.

According to the ministry’s documents and UN concluding observation on human rights conventions, Pakistan has ratified seven core human rights conventions like ICERD, CAT, ICESCR, ICCPR etc. and obliged to submit obligatory reports to concerned treaty bodies through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

NELSON MANDELA RULES:

Moreover, the world body asked the authorities to ensure that conditions of detention are brought in line with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the treatment of prisoners (the Nelson Mandela Rules).

“All cases of death in custody are promptly and effectively needed to be investigated,” the UN said, while urging Pakistan to put an end to civil power regulation 2011 and take effective measures to improve sanitation and health services available to the detainees.

It also asked for an investigation of all reported cases of harassment, disappearance and killing of human rights defenders and bringing the perpetrators to justice, as to ensure a safe and favourable environment for journalists, lawyers and human rights defenders.

WOMEN’s RIGHTS:

The UN also urged Pakistan to focus on women rights, as it asked the country to ensure that the minimum age for marriage set to be 18 years and intensify efforts to eradicate forced marriage.

“Amend legislation on abortion to ensure its compatibility with other fundamental rights such as women’s rights to life and physical and mental health and to broaden the permitted circumstances for legal abortion as well as decriminalise women undergoing an abortion by trained medical providers,” said the ministry’s documents.

The UN further asked the country to review legislation on the Western Muslim Personal Law (Shariat Act, 1962) and the Qanun-e-Shahadat with a view to removing all gender discriminatory provisions and adopt Criminal Laws Bill 2015.

In a bid to monitor the hate speech, the UN asked Pakistan to take effective measures to enhance the reporting and investigation of hate crimes and intensify efforts to end violence against minorities.

The UN has also recommended for taking measures to improve access to the internet especially in rural areas; review legislation on data collection and surveillance, in particular, the prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 to bring it in line with its obligations under the covenant.

The documents further transpire that UN has asked Pakistan to monitor school curricula and textbooks as well as practices in schools at all levels, including in madrassas ensuring that they promote the full development of the human personality of students.

UN’s recommendations further said for a comprehensive law on asylum that is consistent with international human rights standards and norms and in accordance with article 3 (CAT).

The UN also asked authorities to increase tax revenue in a way that it does not put a disproportionate burden on persons belonging to the low-income segments, but contributes to the redistribution of income and wealth.

It is worth mentioning that Pakistan will submit its report in March 2018 over the actions taken over the recommendations of UN.


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