Human rights experts cite reports of harassment, violence and prosecutions, urging Pakistan to protect the Ahmadiyya community and end impunity….reports Asian Lite News Desk
United Nations human rights experts have expressed grave concern over continuing reports of discrimination, violence and legal restrictions targeting members of Pakistan’s Ahmadiyya Muslim community, urging authorities to ensure their protection and uphold the country’s international human rights obligations.
The experts said members of the community continued to face harassment, criminal prosecution, violence and exclusion because of their religious identity.
“We are deeply concerned by persistent reports that members of the Ahmadiyya community continue to face harassment, criminal prosecution, violence, and exclusion because of their religious identity,” the experts said.
They stressed that every individual has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief and should not face discrimination, intimidation or violence for peacefully practising their faith.
The UN experts cited reports of continuing attacks on Ahmadi places of worship, desecration of graves and interference with religious observances, including during Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha.
They also raised concerns over arrests and criminal prosecutions linked to religious practices or identity, as well as hate speech directed at members of the minority community.
The experts said the reports highlighted the need for Pakistan to take effective steps to prevent violence, ensure accountability and protect vulnerable religious communities.
“The State has a responsibility to exercise due diligence to prevent human rights violations, investigate allegations promptly and impartially, prosecute those responsible in accordance with international standards, and provide effective remedies to victims,” they said.
The experts also called on Pakistan to address what they described as a pattern of impunity surrounding attacks and incitement to hatred and violence against religious minorities.
“Pakistan must break the pattern of impunity that has allowed perpetrators of attacks and incitement to hatred and violence to act without restraint,” they said.
They further warned that recent incidents surrounding Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha demonstrated how discrimination against Ahmadis extended beyond public life and affected the ability of individuals to practise their faith privately.
“No individual should face arrest, detention, surveillance, or criminal prosecution simply for observing their religious festivals and practices,” the experts said.
The UN experts urged the Pakistani government to ensure equal protection under the law for all individuals, regardless of their religion or beliefs.
They also called for a review of legislation and administrative measures that may be inconsistent with Pakistan’s obligations under international human rights law.
The areas highlighted include freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression, freedom of association and assembly, cultural rights and equality before the law.
The experts said tackling religious intolerance required more than responding to individual incidents and called for sustained efforts to promote respect for diversity and counter incitement to hatred and violence.
“Combating religious intolerance requires more than responding to individual incidents,” they said. “It requires sustained efforts to foster respect for diversity, counter incitement to hatred and violence, and create an environment in which all religious or belief communities can live in safety and dignity.”
The experts said they were in contact with the Government of Pakistan over the matter and remained ready to engage in constructive dialogue with authorities and other stakeholders.
They said such engagement should focus on promoting inclusion, tolerance and dialogue, while strengthening the protection of freedom of religion or belief and the rights of all religious minorities in Pakistan.
