Additionally, there is a need for effective Witness Protection Laws. Implementation
of robust witness protection laws is imperative for protecting witnesses in
blasphemy cases. The laws should ensure safety and anonymity of witnesses to
encourage honest testimonials and fair trials, eliminating the possibility of
intimidation or penalties.
3. Employment and Minority Quotas:
Ensure fairness and transparency in implementation of minority quota within
employment. To this end, the NCHR advises the Government of Pakistan to
empower the National Commission for Minorities to monitor compliance of both; the
minority employment quota and the hiring policy regarding non-Muslims introduced
within federal and provincial governments. Further, it is advised that special attention
be given to empowering women within minority classes to ensure that they have
access to employment as well without any discrimination. To ensure practicality and
effectiveness, the NCHR advises the Government to require government
departments to submit implementation plans and compliance reports to ensure that
minority vacancies are filled.
4. End Bonded Labour;
Ensure access to justice to minorities stuck in bonded labour. Various minority
communities continue to find themselves caught in bonded labour despite its
criminalization. There is a general distrust in local administration, police and legal
system which are seen as corrupt, inefficient or too far removed to provide protection
against the traditional feudal power structures responsible for the bonded labour
system. It is thereby essential for the Government of Pakistan to take adequate steps
to alleviate minority communities from the menace of bonded labour and provide
them immediate access to justice through the following:
Establishing and strengthening unions and other associations of labourers
that would help protect rights through collective bargaining and
representation.
Revise brick kiln registration processes and developing robust strategy to
expedite the process by providing additional resources to the labour
department and implementing incentives and enforcement mechanisms to
ensure registration all brick kilns.
Implementing a greater use of automated machinery through tax reductions
in brick production.
Increase income of labourers in fields where bonded labour is prevalent.
Enhance the capacity of District Vigilance Committees.
17