The seminar called joint action of lawyers, media people, minority rights activists and civil society to force the government to implement the law to stop forced conversion and child marriages. They also urged the government to repeal the discriminatory laws so the citizens may feel protection without fear of being treated as minority people.
They were speaking at the seminar on 'Access to Justice for vulnerable communities in Pakistan and forced conversion', organized by Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (PILER) in collaboration with Dastaeer Centres held at Local Hotel. Dastageer centers provide help to the people belonging to oppressed segments of society, like disables, minority and victims of forced conversion which are being victimised by certain elements and need justice.
Arfana Malah of Sindh University, who is also working on women rights protection, gave details about the term of Community Justice, which, she said, should be linked with laws and ensure implementation to protect the rights of women and minority people. She said violence against women and minority is going on. There is need of awareness for these oppressed segments of the society. She calls the difference between women and minority on the whole and said women of minority are facing other problems within their own community structure and face horrible situation. She quoted the major issue of a minority girl Rinkle Kumari, which is still waiting to get justice. There are some laws introduced after the frequent struggle of women rights activists but only bill passing from assemblies is not enough, there is need of its implementation.
Farooq Soomo, Editor Daily Sindh Express, who talked about the media role while taking cases of vulnerability of communities and said media is linked with market, and sees how the things are being sold and attract consumers. There are some limitations usually for media people, he added. Salim Abbasi of Dastageer Centers threw light of their working and achievement and called participants to help the victims to send them to Dastageer centers to see how we help them. He said Law does not allow marriage of people less than 18 years of age. Sindhi society should adopt positivism and should not only criticise but show the path to the victims to get justice. Dastageer has Legal Forum comprises of 5000 lawyers, who help the people through the country.
Ayaz Tunio Advocate talking about the Constitution, which was formed after partition and saw amendments frequently but the old law of 1936 is still in practice. The legislation is being done by assemblies and we people do not have role in it. There is need of judiciary reforms. There is influence of religious people and victims are being deprived of their rights.
Rafia Bungash of Abad Organisation talked about the government role regarding the forced conversion and marriage and said Pakistan Constitution 1973 guarantees the citizens to live with freedom. But we should see where gap is? She said 2011 act is available in which there is written clearly about the forced marriage, but there is no implementation.
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