ICC Note:

The Sindh Assembly in Pakistan has approved a law that makes forced conversions illegal. Christians and other religious minorities often faced the threat of forced conversions in Pakistan. The Movement for Solidarity and Peace Pakistan has estimated as many as 700 Christian women are forcefully converted to Islam every year. Similar laws in India have been used by the country’s Hindu majority to persecuted religious minorities, especially religious leaders, so only time will tell whether or not this law will help or harm Pakistan’s religious minorities. 

11/25/2016 Pakistan (Asia News) – The Sindh Assembly has unanimously approved the law that punishes forced conversions, with penalties of up to life imprisonment. It is a real breakthrough for Pakistan, where there has been ongoing debate about how to curb coerced conversions and ensure compliance of all denominations, while guaranteeing freedom to profess their faith without restrictions.

Rana Mohammad Kashif, a Muslim activist and coordinator of the South Asia Partnership Pakistan, told AsiaNews: “It is a very positive act by the provincial legislature because it is directed at protecting and promoting the rights of religious minorities in Pakistan. We know that forced conversions are a problem throughout the country, and rampant especially in Sindh. The law will improve the image of the province in the international community and will help to curb the exodus of minorities fleeing abroad in search of protection.”

The Criminal Law (Protection of Minorities) was approved yesterday. It was proposed last year by Nand Kumar, MP from the moderate and centrist Islamic groups the Pakistan Muslim League – Functional (PML-F).

It states that “forced conversions are an offense repugnant and violent […] which must be eliminated in order to recognize the importance of tolerance, peace and respect of all religions and people, regardless of their faith.”

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