United Nations experts have expressed concerns over reports of human rights violations against members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Pakistan and urged authorities to ensure their protection.
The experts said, “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, according to an official release.
“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,” the experts said. “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. “Every individual has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief. No one should be subjected to discrimination, intimidation, or violence, nor should they be prevented from peacefully manifesting their faith or face discrimination with respect to any of their human rights,” they added. “These attacks take place with tacit official complicity, whilst the cycle of fear prevents people and institutions from upholding the rights and dignity of these minority groups. They called on the Pakistan government to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their religion or belief, enjoy equal protection under the law without discrimination.
The experts also urged the government to review legislation and administrative measures that may be inconsistent with its obligations under international human rights law, including the rights to freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression, freedom of association and assembly, cultural rights, and equality before the law.