ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) in collaboration with the Peoples Commission for Minorities’ Rights (PCMR) organized a seminar in Islamabad on Wednesday that demanded early passage of progressive legislation “Christian Marriage and Divorce Act 2019.
The CSJ Executive Director Peter Jacob, the Chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) Khawar Mumtaz, Members of National Assembly Shunila Ruth and Jamshed Thomas, Father Jacob Joseph Dogra and Father Asif John were among the speakers.
The seminar was joined by religious leaders, lawyers, educationists and members of civil society groups.
Speaking on the occasion, Peter Jacob said that the expert group comprising religious leaders, jurists and human rights activists reviewed the Christian Marriage and Divorce Bill 2019 introduced by the government, and made recommendations for improving the substantive and procedural content of the law to make certain that a comprehensive and effective bill is presented before legislative assemblies and passed into law.
“The Federal Ministry of Human Rights’ inclusion of the recommendations given by expert group is much appreciated. With the draft bill submitted in the parliament now, one can hope that the confusions are removed and the legislation will not face any obstacles,” he added.
The NCSW Chairperson Khawar Mumtaz said that her organization took the initiative of analyzing family laws and drafting amendment bills about nine years ago. It is encouraging that government has finally come up with good draft that merged both separate laws into Christian Marriage and Divorce Bill, 2019, supporting interfaith marriages.
“The government and stakeholders must act responsibly with the law-making process as the dispensation of justice and equality in marriage relations is the domain of civil law, and government must make certain that the proposed bill is in compliant with human rights standards,” she added.
The MNA Jamshed Thomas said that “This is certainly a historic and much needed legislation that will have direct effect on the lives of over four million citizens of Pakistan, and any further delay in the presentation of the bill will only lead to more sufferings.”
“The job quota suffer implementation, so there is a need to strengthen supply against demand for proper implementation of job quota,” he added.
Both the lawmakers Shunila Ruth and Jamshed Thomas supported recommendation regarding introduction of five percent educational quota for admission in educational institutions i.e. colleges, universities, professional and technical etc. for the students belonging to religious minorities, so that they could avail job quota reserved for them.
Father Jacob Joseph Dogra and Father Asif John expressed his support for, and agreement with, the recommended changes. They said that the government should be open to build consensus and incorporate actionable recommendations to address the issues relating to Christian marriages.
During the seminar, documentary films were also screened to create and raise awareness regarding reforms in Christian matrimonial laws, and implementation of job quota.
The participants also demanded enactment for constitution of a regulatory body (Rozgar Authority) for proper implementation of job quota.
