Introduction
Peoples Commission for Minorities’ Rights (PCMR) defines the term minority as individuals and communities who are treated, declared or distinguishable from the majority. The PCMR focuses on the rights of communities considered minority on the basis of religion or belief in Pakistan.
The concerned citizens in a consultative meeting resolved to form a voluntary association to be called as Peoples Commission for Minorities’ Rights (PCMR), which will be a social, non-commercial and politically impartial entity. The PCMR is committed to the following aims and objectives:
Aims and Objectives
- To work for the promotion and protection of the fundamental rights of minorities given in the constitution of Pakistan and the international instruments and universally recognized human rights,
- To work for the implementation of the Supreme Court judgment (SMC No. 1 of 2014) issued on 19 June 2014 in letter and spirit and any subsequent measures for this purpose,
- To monitor the state of minorities rights, and inquire into violations of their rights,
- To assess the performance of, and work closely with, human rights institutions (HRIs), governmental and non-governmental organizations, and like-minded civil society networks,
- To analyze laws and public policies and make recommendations, and undertake advocacy initiatives for legal and policy reforms,
- To strengthen the capacity of PCMR’s volunteers/ activists for engaging in advocacy, fact-finding, and reporting on human rights situations.
Membership and Structure
PCMR will be a three-tier body i.e. National Council (Governing body), Secretariat (Staff) and Volunteers (General Body):
National Council: The founding and co-opted members shall be the National Council.
- Founding members: The founding members of PCMR shall become part of the National Council, which shall comprise around 30 members including co-opted members.
- Co-opted members: Up to five individuals may be co-opted to cater to the representation of religious and regional diversity, different expertise,
- The minorities’ representation shall be more than ½ of the total membership of the national council,
- The membership shall include diverse geographical representatives from the Federating units of Pakistan, Gilgit Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The members of the national council of PCMR will be responsible to;
- Participate in the meetings to give policy advice regarding the structure and functions of the PCMR as well as approve organizational policies and procedures,
- Take part in other activities of the PCMR,
- Function as goodwill ambassadors of the PCMR,
- Visit the PCMR secretariat at any time during working hours, inspect the records,
- Elect one chairperson and four vice-chairpersons, one from each Province
- Participate in making decisions relating to PCMR, and approve minutes/report of the national council meeting,
- Approving organizational by-Laws and any amendment, if required,
- Appoint auditors and approve audited report of the accounts.