In a passionate display at the United Nations Human Rights Council’s 58th session, advocates condemned Pakistan’s declining human rights, particularly pointing to the abuse of blasphemy laws and forced conversions of minority girls. The event, co-hosted by rights organisations such as Jubilee Campaign USA, spotlighted systemic torture and persecution prevalent in Pakistan, Eritrea, Nicaragua, and Sudan.
Charlie Weimers, an MEP, described Pakistan’s blasphemy laws as “weapons of terror against religious minorities.” He recounted the devastating riots in Jaranwala in August 2023, where 26 churches were set ablaze, underlining the absence of justice for vulnerable Christian communities.
Despite prior appeals from the European Parliament for legal reform, Weimers lamented that inaction persists, urging the EU to tie trade, aid, and visas to genuine human rights changes in Pakistan. He warned that rampant religious persecution could seep into Europe, with rising violence against places of worship and clergy.
Joseph Janssen from Jubilee Campaign highlighted the extreme enforcement of blasphemy laws, branding them as life sentences for minorities. He shared harrowing stories of innocent individuals, like Nadeem James and Anwar Kenneth, suffering lengthy imprisonments due to fabricated charges, while perpetrators of violence remain unpunished.
Shahid Mobeen, an advocate for religious freedom, pointed out the global epidemic of Christian persecution, citing figures that reveal millions facing hostility across the globe. He urged the international community to dismantle oppressive laws like blasphemy regulations and safeguard the rights of religious minorities.
Calls for drastic measures echoed as speakers insisted that passive diplomacy fails to address the urgent crisis. Nazila Ghanea, the UN’s Special Rapporteur, affirmed the need for substantial actions rather than mere verbal condemnations, stressing the importance of accountability for human rights violations.
Given its position on Open Doors’ 2025 World Watch List as a challenging environment for Christians, Pakistan’s human rights concerns need global advocacy and intervention now more than ever, to protect the vulnerable and ensure justice for all abused in the name of faith.
At the UN HRC’s latest session, advocates condemned Pakistan’s human rights abuses, particularly blasphemy laws harming minorities. They called for international intervention and highlighted the urgent need for reforms. The impact of these laws and rising persecution in both Pakistan and Europe was also discussed, emphasising the importance of accountability for violations against religious freedom.
In summary, the UN event highlighted the alarming human rights decay in Pakistan, focusing on the misuse of blasphemy laws and the plight of minority groups. Advocates called for tangible actions and reforms, underscoring the need for international pressure on Pakistan to protect its religious minorities and uphold human rights. The situation remains dire, demanding urgent global attention and action to prevent further injustices.
Original Source: www.christianpost.com
