CSJ Jacob Flags Conscience
News Desk
Lahore: Why does the Pakistani Constitution lack explicit mention of ‘conscience’ within its framework? This question was raised by Peter Jacob, Executive Director of the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ).
Peter Jacob expressed this significant concern during a panel discussion in Lahore regarding the absence of the word ‘conscience’ in the Constitution of Pakistan.
Specifically, he addressed the comparison between Article 20 of the Constitution of Pakistan and its connection to Article 18 of international instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
He emphasized two primary issues concerning freedom of religion: the absoluteness of this freedom and the operationalization of religious freedom within the country. Additionally, he discussed the Jillani Judgment, shedding light on how it elaborates on the nuances of Article 20 of the Constitution of Pakistan in relation to these concerns.
During the panel discussion in Lahore themed “The Scope of Article 20 and the Constitution of Pakistan and Practices,” several notable figures, including Peter Jacob, Saroop Ijaz Advocate, and Benazir Shah, alongside law students, journalists, jurists, human rights activists, and academics from across Pakistan, participated.
The discussion, moderated by Suneel Malik, delved into pressing issues within the context of the three-day National Moot Court Competition 2023, focusing on the “Rights of Religious Minorities and forced faith conversion in Pakistan.” This event was a collaboration between the Centre for Social Justice and Blackstone School of Law and Business, held from December 15th to 17th in Lahore.
Saroop Ijaz Advocate emphasized that forced conversions not only violate constitutional protections but also contravene international standards for freedom of religion, conscience, and belief, as well as the fundamental guarantee of equality of citizenship in a democratic state.
He referenced the Jillani judgment (SMC No. 1 of 2024), highlighting that Article 20 of the constitution guarantees religious freedom to all citizens equally and should align with the religious identities of individuals involved.
Benazir Shah, a journalist and analyst, stressed the importance of diverse groups having a voice in an inclusive democracy. She noted that religious minorities in Pakistan often lack representation in mainstream media debates and, when covered, are frequently portrayed as victims.
Shah highlighted the need for media—both print and television—to incorporate the voices of religious minorities in coverage of political, economic, and other events, particularly as Pakistan approaches the 2024 general elections. She also urged a reevaluation of media policies concerning targeted attacks on certain religious communities’ places of worship, which received limited coverage in conventional media despite their frequency.
The panelists raised concerns about religious content in textbooks developed under the single national curriculum, citing Article 22(1) of the Constitution of Pakistan, which guarantees that such content should not be taught to religious minorities.
During the discussion, CSJ’s documentary film ‘Hum Saya—Neighbor’—recipient of the Best Short Documentary on Human Rights at the Venice Intercultural Film Festival in 2023—was screened. The film depicted the stories of families whose young daughters had been abducted and forcibly converted, shedding light on these critical societal issues.
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