Implementation of child marriage laws would prevent cases of forced conversion: report.

ISLAMABAD -- Speakers at a policy dailogue on forced conversion have demanded strict laws related to the subject so that state institutions may authenticate wilfull conversions instead of leaving the matter in the hands of organised mafias.

The dailogue, 'Irreparable Damage through Planned Exodus' was arranged on Thursday by the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP).

At the launch, Father Sarfraz Simon Diocese, director of CCJP Rawalpindi-Islamabad, said that the issue of forced conversion was like a blot on the face of society and the state of Pakistan must own the issue in order to eradicate this menace.

He also stressed on implementation of the laws against child marriage. 'If child marriage laws are implemented, almost 50 percent of forced conversions could be prevented,' he said.

The speakers at the dailogue highlighted that reality was different from the state's version of the matter. Repeated violations against women belonging to religious minorities have been proven several times and the prevalent issue relates to abduction, rape, sexual assault and eventually forced conversion through forced marriage, it stated.

There is a set pattern as per which women from minority communities are abducted, forcefully converted to Islam and then married off to their abductor, the report highlights.

Coordinator Tariq Ghori said CCJP works for safeguarding the rights of religious minorities.

'While the commission does not oppose wilful conversions and inter-faith marriages, it takes a firm stance against exploitation of minors particularly those who come from poor families,' he added.

It was...