ICC Note: Sindh just became the first province in Pakistan to call for legal action to be taken against the issue of forced conversions of girls from religious minorities. Reportedly, thousands of girls belonging to minority religions, such as Hinduism and Christianity, have been abducted and forcibly converted to Islam, ushering them into a new life of slave labor or marriage to Muslim men. Boys from minority religions can also become victims. The legislation proposes a minimum of three years in prison for offenders. Forced conversion and forced marriage represent one of the primary sources of persecution for Christians and other religious minorities in Pakistan.

08/17/2016, Sindh, Pakistan (Christians in Pakistan) – Sindh becomes the first province to call for legislation against the forced conversions of minorities’ girls. The purposed legislation prescribes minimum of three years of imprisonment for whoever facilitates, conducts or directs forced conversions of non-Muslim girls.

“Since the start of this years, until now at least 300 minorities’ girls and boys have been abducted and forced to convert to Islam since January 2016,” stated a representative from the Pakistan Hindu Council, which is non-governmental organization (NGO) advocating for rights of Hindu Pakistanis.

…

[Full Story]