Afghanistan: Hindus, Sikhs to get parliament seat
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 4 September 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Afghanistan: Hindus, Sikhs to get parliament seat, 4 September 2013, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/525e3f3cb.html [accessed 21 December 2015] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
September 04, 2013
An Afghan Sikh in traditional dress (file photo)
Afghan President Hamid Karzai has issued a legislative order giving the country's Hindus and Sikhs a special seat in the lower house of parliament.
A statement on September 4 said Karzai told the cabinet to introduce the legislation within 30 days of the start of the next parliamentary session. The addition means the lower house will now have 250 seats.
The deputy chief of the Council of Hindus and Sikhs in Afghanistan, Rawil Singh, called the move a "good first step," but said the government should also consider other issues, among them "security of religious sites."
Karzai's move comes after lawmakers refused to include in the law a requirement for a special seat for Hindus and Sikhs. According to officials, some 700 Hindu and Sikh families live in Afghanistan.
Based on reporting by AP and dpa
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
