Lahore: August 13, 2013. (PCP) Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) in collaboration with Global Human Rights Defense (GHRD), PCNP and CLAAS observed National Minority Day as Black Day in the form of Demonstration on 11th August, 2013 in the front of Press Club, Lahore. HRFP’s observation of National Minority Day by more than 300 protestors that included (Civil society groups, local leaders, social workers, teachers and particularly the youth) build strong pressure on the Government by raising core issues and recommendations of the religious minorities through print and electronic media. The following was the proceeding of the event: On 11th August, 2013 at National Minority Day the protestors gathered in the front of Press Club, Lahore to register the demonstration and highlight issues & discriminations at media and ultimately to the mainstream authorities of Pakistan. In the demonstrations influential minority leaders also participated. The participants also marched a rally from Press Club Lahore to the main corners of Lahore. The participants were holding protesting banners, placards and were also chanting minority rights slogans that raise extensive awareness to the General Public. The starting speech was commenced by President HRFP Mr. Naveed Walter who shared that today is a Black Day for all minorities of Pakistan as the basic rights & fundamental freedoms of minorities are the easiest target to be attacked & harassed. He awfully highlighted the poorest level of safety & security for the religious minorities by talking about the brutal incidents of Joseph Colony (Badami Bagh), Lahore & Francisabad, Gujranwala, Hazara incidents against Shia’s and other incident against religious minorities that occurred in the current year. He regretted that not unlike Gojra 2009 & other inhuman incident the State has failed to conduct transparent investigation of above mentioned incidents & failed to penalize them. Mr. Walter also centered his discussion on repealing discriminatory laws and practices particularly 295/B-C. He highlighted that the case of Rimsha Masih, 2012 has proofed once again that how openly and bravely this law is being misused against the religious minorities. Mr. Naveed Walter highlighted the pathetic situation of Hindu Community in the Province, Sindh. He shared that Hindu Girls are also the daughters of Pakistan, but unfortunately daughters of Pakistan are being kidnapped, tortured & becoming the victim of forced marriages & forced conversions. Mr. Joseph Francis (National Director- CLAAS) commenced the next speech who stated that minorities feel embarrassed to observe National Minority Day, because it explicitly shows that the religious minorities are in vulnerability regarding the provision of healthy status as a state-citizen. He said, the current plight and future threats forced us to observe national minority day, thus to convey and expand the outreach of our concerns and reservations to the high Government officials, that’s why religious minorities observed National Minority Day. Mr. Joseph Francis spokes that we demand a reform in the Constitution of Pakistan, 1973 as it unambiguously declares that the religious minorities as secondary citizens. He awfully said, unfortunately the Pakistan of today is contrary to the Pakistan of Quaid-e-Azam (Founder of Pakistan) The protest was also joined by Samuel Piyara, Javed Martin, Asad Emmanuel,Ms Catherine Spna and other many prominent leaders /activists and civil society groups, who shared that minority communities envisioned violence free society for all minorities in the coming future. They unanimously said the contributions and sacrifices of the religious minorities in the formation and development of Pakistan should be remembered and equality should be ensured to them in all aspects. Some of the speakers shared about the problems of indigenous people as their international day was celebrated on August 9th The following are the recommendations that HRFP proposed to the Government on Minority Day: 1. Steps should be taken to solve all the problems that minorities are facing throughout the country and according to the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights all violations against minorities should be stopped immediately. 2. All discriminatory laws against religious minorities especially (295 B/C) should be reviewed and repealed and also the fictitious use of (295B/C) should be stopped. Also the victims upon whom allegations are not yet proofed should be released. 3. In all parts of the country, Government writ and provision of justice & protection should be ensured to the minorities particularly the forcible conversions and Islamic marriage of young minorities’ girls and women should be stopped. 4. Articles of Constitution of Pakistan 2, 2-A AND 41 (2-B) should be amended otherwise minorities will protest against the constitution. 5. To provide equal citizenship rights to minorities such practical steps and mechanism should be ensured that will provide easy access to Justice, Restoration and Protection to the minorities. 6. The Government should disclose investigation reports on the incidents of violations and attacks on the minorities particularly Shanti Nagar 1997, Bahawalpur attack on Church 2001, Sanghalla Hill 2005, incident of Gojra, Korian & Bamini Wala 2009, Joseph Colony (Badami Bagh) Lahore 2013, Francis-abad, Gujranwala 2013 and recent incidents of Hazara Quetta and all extremists’ elements who involved in such incidents should be exposed off. 7. In the political process according to the democratic values the Government should give representation to minorities in provincial and national assembly according to their actual population. 8. In the text book of academic syllabus all negative chapters and references against the minorities should be eliminated that is creating negative impression in the minds of new generation against the minorities. 9. The Government should provide assistance to the religious minorities for visiting their sacred religious places either Hindu go to India or Christians go to Italy or Israel.