Minority Act in National Assembly
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LAHORE: (APP) Federal Minister for Human Rights Senator Kamran Michael has said that the government would table a bill in the National Assembly for legislation on the Minority Act for protecting rights of the minorities in the country.
Responding to the media men after inaugurating Complaint Cell at the regional directorate of human Rights here on Thursday, he said there was no law for the protection of the minorities in the country at present, adding that the Minority Act would help protect rights of the minorities in the country as per the constitution of the country.
To a query, the Human Rights Minister said Christian Marriage Act and Christian Divorce Act would also be discussed in the house for amendments, saying that he had called a meeting of the bishops and pastors for consultations in this regard.
About the violations of human rights, Michael said the perpetrators of honor killings are punished under the murder laws, adding that the law department is working on an amendment under which no one could get relief through compromise.
To another query, he said the human rights department has set up a toll-free helpline 1099 and three law officers provide assistance on complaints from the victims, adding that the ministry would also provide legal help to the victims in future.
About the complaint cell, the Minister said the complainants could lodge their complaints against violation of human rights at the regional directorate, adding that the government has fulfilled its commitment of establishing a re-dressal system across the country.
To a question, he said the ministry of human rights would stand against the victims, adding that in a recent case of violation against a minority member in kasur, the ministry has provided full legal assistance to the victims against the bigwigs of the area. He said an awareness campaign would be launched through the media so that everybody should have a clear vision of the human rights.
The Minister further said the government would soon constitute district human rights committees to be headed by parliamentarians with 20-22 members including senior police and district administration officers, women, youth,
mediamen, lawyers and minority representatives.
The Federal minister said the human rights ministry is planning to propose celebration of Annual Neighbours Day nation-wise which would help eradicating intolerance and extremism from the country, adding that the world may also take a lead from the day once it is observed in Pakistan.
The Minister said he would call upon the lawyers, who are defenders of human rights, and the media men to play their due role presenting a soft image of the country to the world by successfully protecting human rights and safeguarding people against exploitation and victimization.
Earlier, Minister Human Rights Senator Kamran Michael inaugurated a complaint cell at the regional directorate of human rights at 148-A New Muslim Town while
He was accompanied by Federal Secretary Human Rights Nadeem Ashraf and Regional Director Human Rights Lubna Masood.
