UN Experts Warn Over Forced Conversions and Marriages of Minority Girls in Pakistan

United Nations human rights experts have issued a stark warning over the persistent and widespread abduction, forced religious conversion, and marriage of women and girls from minority communities in Pakistan, describing the practice as a grave and systemic human rights violation fueled by impunity.

In a strongly worded statement, the experts said the pattern of abuse—disproportionately affecting Hindu and Christian minorities—reflects deep-rooted discrimination, gender inequality, and failures in law enforcement.

“Any change of religion or belief must be genuinely free from coercion, and marriage must be based on full and free consent,” the experts said. “This is not legally possible when the victim is a child.”

Disturbing Scale and Targeted Vulnerability

New data for 2025 reveals the alarming scope of the issue:

• 75% of victims were Hindu, while 25% were Christian

• Nearly 80% of reported cases occurred in Sindh province

• The majority of victims were adolescent girls aged 14 to 18, with some even younger

Experts highlighted that girls from economically disadvantaged and socially marginalised backgrounds face heightened risk, often becoming targets of abduction, coercion, and exploitation.

“These girls are subjected to physical and sexual abuse, social stigma, and long-term psychological trauma,” the experts said. “They live in a constant state of fear.”

A Pattern of Coercion and Systemic Discrimination

According to the UN experts, many cases follow a similar pattern: abduction, forced conversion to Islam, and subsequent marriage—often legitimised through legal or quasi-legal processes that fail to adequately verify consent or age.

The experts stressed that such practices violate fundamental rights, including:

• Freedom of religion or belief

• The right to personal autonomy

• Protection from child marriage and exploitation

“The scale and persistence of these violations point to systemic discrimination against non-Muslim women and girls,” the statement noted.

Failures in Law Enforcement and Justice

A key concern raised by the experts is the lack of effective response from law enforcement authorities, with reports indicating that:

• Complaints by families are often dismissed or ignored

• Investigations are delayed or inadequate

• Authorities frequently fail to properly verify victims’ ages

• Perpetrators are rarely held accountable

“This culture of impunity allows the practice to continue unchecked,” the experts said.

They also echoed previous findings from UN Treaty Bodies, calling for prompt, impartial, and effective investigations into all allegations.

Calls for Legal Reform and Stronger Protections

The UN experts have urged Pakistan to take immediate and comprehensive action, including:

• Raising the minimum age of marriage to 18 nationwide

• Criminalising forced religious conversion as a distinct offence

• Strengthening enforcement of laws related to human trafficking and sexual violence

• Ensuring swift prosecution of perpetrators

They emphasised that legal reforms must be accompanied by consistent implementation across all provinces and territories.

Need for Victim Support and Rehabilitation

Beyond legal measures, the experts stressed the importance of victim-centred support systems, calling for:

• Safe shelters and protection services

• Access to legal aid

• Psychological counselling

• Reintegration programmes

Particular emphasis was placed on child-sensitive and gender-responsive services, given the age and vulnerability of many victims.

Addressing Root Causes

The statement also highlights deeper structural issues driving the practice, including:

• Patriarchal social norms

• Gender inequality

• Poverty and social exclusion

• Religious intolerance

• Discrimination against minority communities

The experts expressed concern that insufficient progress has been made in addressing these underlying factors.

“Without tackling the root causes, these violations will persist,” they warned.

A Renewed Call for Accountability

This latest warning follows earlier UN communications and statements in January 2023 and April 2024, indicating ongoing concern at the international level.

“Freedom of religion or belief and equality must be ensured for all without discrimination,” the experts said. “This must stop.”

As global attention intensifies, the pressure is mounting on Pakistan to take decisive action—not only to protect vulnerable women and girls but to uphold its international human rights obligations.