Streets of Fear: Rising Threats to Religious Minorities in Pakistan
Pakistan's Human Rights Commission reports a troubling increase in violence against religious minorities, including forced conversions, underage marriages, and mob violence. The report calls for urgent law enforcement reforms and the establishment of a national commission to protect minority rights and ensure community representation.
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- Pakistan
An alarming rise in violence against religious minorities has been reported in Pakistan, with targeted killings of Ahmadis and the destruction of their worship spaces. This is according to a report by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), highlighting a troubling year for minority rights.
Persistent issues such as forced conversions and underage marriages of Hindu and Christian girls continue, exposing failures in enforcing child marriage laws, particularly in Punjab and Sindh provinces. The HRCP also notes mob lynchings and extra-judicial killings related to blasphemy accusations, stressing the need for reform in law enforcement and accountability.
The report underscores the increase in hate speech and a worrying alignment of legal professionals with extremist groups. It proposes establishing a national commission for minority rights and equipping law enforcement to handle mob violence effectively, while urging the government to monitor seminaries involved in converting underage girls.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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