Pakistan rights group hails criminalising forced conversion

Welcoming the Sindh legislature's decision to criminalise forced conversion, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has urged authorities to ensure that the law was strictly enforced, media reported

Islamabad, Dec 1: Welcoming the Sindh legislature's decision to criminalise forced conversion, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has urged the authorities to ensure that the law was strictly enforced, media reported on Thursday.

In a statement, the rights body said: "In adopting Sindh Criminal Law (Protection of Minorities) Bill, the Sindh Assembly has responded to an oft-voiced concern of members of religious minority communities, especially Hindus, against forced conversion, mainly of girls and young women in the province."

The HRCP also welcomed the adoption of the law that allows those who convert 21 days to reconsider their decision.

The effort to safeguard juveniles was particularly worthy of praise, it said.

The bill was recently passed by Sindh's provincial assembly and has faced criticism from the religious political parties. Pakistan's Hindu community also criticised those who were opposing the legislation.

IANS