Moot discusses rights of religious minorities

LAHORE : Experts Saturday discussed religious rights of different communities living in the country in a discussion.

Attending a moot organised in collaboration with Centre for Social Justice and Blackstone School of Law and Business from 15th to 17th December at Lahore on the title of “The Scope of Article 20 and the Constitution of Pakistan and Practices”, renowned jurists, journalists and human rights activists stressed the need of reviewing policies regarding rights of certain religious communities. Law students, journalists, jurists, human rights activists and academics across the country attended the moot.

Suneel Malik moderated the discussion and Faaria Khan introduced the event.

Addressing the participants, Peter Jacob, the executive director at Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), brought the attention of the audience towards the Article 20 of the Constitution of Pakistan and its intersection with Article 18 of the international instruments in terms of religious rights of the minorities.Saroop Ijaz Advocate said forced conversion is against constitutional protections and international standards for freedom of religion, conscience and belief.Journalist-cum- analyst Benazir Shah said the media should highlight the issues of all religious minorities in the country in a balanced way. The CSJ’s documentary film ‘Humsaya-(neighbor) was also screened on the occasion.