Human rights lawyers and defenders have criticized Pakistan’s Federal Constitutional Court for upholding the marriage of Maria Shahbaz, a minor Christian girl, to a Muslim man accused of kidnapping her. The court rejected a habeas corpus petition filed by her father, prompting concerns about protecting vulnerable individuals and the potential for increased inequality and impunity.
According to a report by ‘Eurasia Review,’ advocates are calling for accountability in conversion and marriage-related cases. They emphasize the importance of verifying age, consent, and free will through stronger procedural safeguards. Additionally, there are calls to uphold constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion and equality before the law, with plans to challenge the verdict through an appeal.
The ruling has sparked controversy as it seemingly disregards evidence of Maria Shahbaz’s age, including official documents from Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA). The decision also appears to overlook legal protections under the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Act and relevant High Court precedents. Joseph Jansen, Chairperson of Voice for Justice in Pakistan, expressed concerns over the court’s acceptance of minimal evidentiary standards and unverified claims of religious conversion, warning of potential legitimization of coercion and abuse.
Prominent lawyer Akmal Bhatti criticized the ruling, questioning the due process and safeguards against forced conversions and child marriages. Rukhsana Zafar, a human rights activist, highlighted the systemic failures in protecting vulnerable communities in Pakistan, noting that cases like Maria Shahbaz’s are not isolated incidents but indicative of broader issues. She emphasized the ongoing fear of abduction and forced conversion that restricts women’s mobility and access to education within minority communities.
