Civil Society Calls for Action: Condemn Forced Marriage Threats & Infringing Right To Education

For Immediate Release

 Civil Society Calls for Action: Condemn Forced Marriage Threats & Infringing Right To Education

Contact: Sana Saleem
CEO – Bolo Bhi
Email: sana@bolobhi.org

KARACHI MAY 10: Bolo Bhi, a rights based organization for advocacy, policy and research has strongly condemned threats against women workers of NGOs by Maulvi Abdul Haleem, former member of Muttahid Majlis-e-Amal Member of National Assembly from Kohistan and call for action.

It is especially condemnable that these threats emanated from the pulpit of a mosque during a Friday prayer sermon.

He had warned  women workers of non-governmental organizations entering and working in his district, that they would be forcibly married to residents of the area. He also issued an edict, fatwa against women seeking higher education.

As a civil society organization devoted to rule of law, Bolo Bhi strongly condemns this despicable act.
Maulvi Haleem has violated the Constitution that protects the right to education and criminalizes forced marriages. Maulvi Haleem should be held accountable for violation of constitutional rights:

  • Article 25 a: Right to Education
  • Article 34: Full participation of women in national life .Steps shall be taken to ensure full participation of women in all spheres of national life.
  • Article 37 (c): make technical and professional education generally available and higher education equally accessible to all on the basis of merit;

Kohistan, an area, already beset with low literacy rates cannot afford such condemnable acts. We urge Wafaq-ul-madaris scholars to condemn threats by Maulvi Haleem and stop individuals from issuing decrees that disrespect Islam and it’s teachings and the Deputy Commissioner to arrest all individuals involved in using mosques to violate the constitution.

We also expect the State to take firm action against unlawful and threatening utterances of Maulvi Haleem, and ensure that mosque loudspeakers are not used to violate the Constitution.

Bolo Bhi means ‘Speak up’, we are an organization with focus on advocacy, policy and research. Our focus areas include human rights with focus on gender and minority rights, internet freedom and privacy. We believe it is crucial to bridge the gap between rights advocates, policy makers,  media and average citizens. Bridging the gap enables collective strength and concentrated focus on the areas that require attention. 

Bolo Bhi means ‘Speak up’, we are an organization with focus on advocacy, policy and research. Our focus areas include human rights with focus on gender and minority rights, internet freedom and privacy. We believe it is crucial to bridge the gap between rights advocates, policy makers,  media and average citizens. Bridging the gap enables collective strength and concentrated focus on the areas that require attention.

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