E/CN.4/1996/95/Add.1 page 12 (c) Operation of justice 54. The Special Rapporteur noted that the serenity of judicial procedures was impaired due to demonstrations and crowd movements organized outside courtrooms. 2. Other fields (a) Employment 55. According to non-official sources, minorities suffer de facto discrimination as regards access to employment. In government service, minorities are reported to be under-represented at all levels and especially in the senior ranks, with few exceptions. Any positions held are said to be rendered very insecure, especially in the case of Ahmadis who had not made a prior declaration of their religious belief. In addition, promotions are said to be hindered, despite applicants possessing the necessary qualifications. 56. According to the authorities, senior government posts in a number of departments are held by members of minorities. (b) Politics 57. Independent sources consider the system of separate elections to be iniquitous, since it does not allow non-Muslim minorities to vote for Muslims or vice versa. In the views of most non-Muslims, the system is seen as creating a category of second-class non-Muslim citizens, with the effect of preventing their full integration in social life and their development. 58. The authorities have indicated that they do not intend to change the present electoral system, which ensures that all minorities are represented, even if numerically small. (c) Education 59. According to non-governmental sources, minorities are discriminated against in the school system, especially in rural areas. In particular, school textbooks and syllabuses are said to exclude an eclectic view of religions (for instance by omitting any reference to minority leaders who have made a historical contribution to Pakistan), for the benefit of the State religion. 60. The Special Rapporteur was informed by the authorities of measures taken to assist minorities in the field of education, such as the Special Fund for the Welfare and Uplift of Minorities (see para. 50 above) and the Minorities Welfare Fund, which offer study grants to students from minorities. The authorities have also sent a letter replying to the questionnaire sent by the Special Rapporteur to Governments concerning freedom of religion and belief in primary and secondary schools.

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