UN consultants categorical concern over rise in abductions, compelled marriages and conversions of ladies in Pakistan

A gaggle of high impartial UN human rights consultants has expressed alarm on the reported rise in abductions, compelled marriages and conversions of underage women and younger girls from spiritual minorities in Pakistan.

The consultants mentioned they’re “deeply troubled” to listen to that women as younger as 13 years are being kidnapped from their households, trafficked to areas removed from their properties, made to marry males generally twice their age, and coerced to transform to Islam, all in violation of worldwide human rights legislation. (Representative photograph: Getty)

By Press Trust of India: A gaggle of high impartial UN human rights consultants has expressed alarm on the reported rise in abductions, compelled marriages and conversions of underage women and younger girls from spiritual minorities in Pakistan.

The group has referred to as for fast efforts to curtail such practices and guarantee justice for victims.

“We urge the government to take immediate steps to prevent and thoroughly investigate these acts objectively and in line with domestic legislation and international human rights commitments. Perpetrators must be held fully accountable,” the consultants mentioned.

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The consultants mentioned on Monday they’re “deeply troubled” to listen to that women as younger as 13 years are being kidnapped from their households, trafficked to areas removed from their properties, made to marry males generally twice their age, and coerced to transform to Islam, all in violation of worldwide human rights legislation, the consultants mentioned in a press release.

“We are very concerned that such marriages and conversions take place under threat of violence to these girls and women or their families,” they mentioned.

The consultants mentioned it was crucial that every one victims, no matter spiritual background, are afforded entry to justice and equal safety below the legislation.

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“Pakistani authorities must adopt and enforce legislation prohibiting forced conversions, forced and child marriages, kidnapping, and trafficking, and abide by their international human rights commitments to combat slavery and human trafficking and uphold the rights of women and children,” they mentioned.

While noting Pakistan’s earlier makes an attempt to go laws that can prohibit compelled conversions and defend spiritual minorities, the consultants deplored the continuing lack of entry to justice for victims and their households.

The assertion mentioned that experiences counsel these so-called marriages and conversions happen with the involvement of non secular authorities and the complicity of safety forces and the justice system.

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Reports additionally point out that the courtroom system permits these offenses by accepting, with out crucial examination, fraudulent proof from perpetrators relating to victims’ maturity, voluntary marriage, and conversion.

“Family members say that victims’ complaints are rarely taken seriously by the police, either refusing to register these reports or arguing that no crime has been committed by labelling these abductions as ‘love marriages’,” the consultants mentioned.

They famous that abductors pressure their victims to signal paperwork that falsely attest to their being of authorized age for marriage in addition to marrying and changing of free will.

“These documents are cited by the police as evidence that no crime has occurred,” they mentioned.

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The consultants are Special Rapporteur on up to date types of slavery, together with its causes and penalties Tomoya Obokata; Special Rapporteur on the sale and sexual exploitation of kids, together with youngster prostitution, youngster pornography and different youngster sexual abuse materials Mama Fatima Singhateh.

The group additionally consists of Special Rapporteur on violence towards girls and women, its causes and penalties Reem Alsalem; Special Rapporteur on freedom of faith or perception Nazila Ghanea; Special Rapporteur on minority points Fernand de Varennes.

Special Rapporteur on trafficking in individuals, particularly girls and kids, Siobhan Mullally, Dorothy Estrada-Tanck (Chair), Ivana Radacic (Vice-Chair), Elizabeth Broderick, Meskerem Geset Techane and Melissa Upreti, Working Group on discrimination towards girls and women are additionally a part of the group.

Posted By:

Raajnandini Mukherjee

Published On:

Jan 17, 2023