Of their enchantment to the authorities to cease the alleged abuse, the specialists warned that youngsters had been “kidnapped from their households, trafficked … removed from their houses (and) made to marry males generally twice their age”.
The rights specialists – who report back to the Human Rights Council – cited reviews suggesting the involvement of non secular authorities and the complicity of safety forces and the justice system; though in addition they acknowledged that Pakistan had already made efforts to go laws prohibiting such unlawful practices.
‘Speedy steps’ wanted
“We urge the Authorities to take speedy steps to forestall and completely examine these acts objectively and according to home laws and worldwide human rights commitments. Perpetrators should be held absolutely accountable,” the specialists mentioned.
In a press release urging Pakistan to uphold the rights of ladies and kids, the group of almost a dozen unbiased specialists and Particular Rapporteurs, maintained that Pakistan’s courts had enabled the perpetrators by accepting “fraudulent proof” from them, relating to the age of the victims and their willingness to marry and convert to Islam.
‘Justifying’ abuse
They famous that the courts had additionally generally “misused interpretations of non secular legislation to justify victims remaining with their abusers”; the police had additionally failed victims’ households by refusing to register the abductions, or dismissing them as “love marriages”.
Menace of violence
They mentioned they had been “very involved” that marriages and conversions have taken place “underneath risk of violence to those women and girls or their households.”
“Abductors drive their victims to signal paperwork which falsely attest to their being of authorized age for marriage in addition to marrying and changing of free will. These paperwork are cited by the police as proof that no crime has occurred.”
The specialists mentioned it was crucial that every one victims, no matter spiritual background, are afforded entry to justice and equal safety underneath the legislation.
Undertake and implement the legislation
“Pakistani authorities should undertake and implement laws prohibiting pressured conversions, pressured and baby marriages, kidnapping, and trafficking, and abide by their worldwide human rights commitments to fight slavery and human trafficking and uphold the rights of ladies and kids,” they mentioned.
Particular Rapporteurs and different unbiased specialists – such because the 5 endorsing Monday’s assertion from the Working Group on discrimination towards girls and women – are a part of the Particular Procedures of the Human Rights Council.
The usually are not UN employees, don’t obtain any wage, and are unbiased of any authorities or organising, serving in their very own particular person capability.
