Violence Against Religious Minorities Surges in Pakistan: HRCP Report

Lahore, Aug 20 (PTI) - Pakistan's leading human rights organization has reported a concerning increase in violence against religious minorities throughout the past year, alongside issues of forced conversions and underage marriages of Hindu and Christian girls.

The report, titled “Streets of Fear: Freedom of Religion or Belief in 2024/25,” was released by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Tuesday. It highlights a “deeply troubling year” for religious freedom and minority rights, particularly focusing on the Ahmadis, Hindus, and Christians.

According to the report, violence against these religious minorities has surged. There have been targeted killings of Ahmadis and the destruction of their places of worship. Additionally, forced conversions and child marriages are rampant in the Punjab and Sindh provinces, revealing systemic failures in enforcing child marriage restraint laws.

The HRCP reported a worrying trend of mob lynching, especially against minority members accused of blasphemy. The chilling accounts of extra-judicial killings further illustrate the urgent need for reforms in law enforcement and accountability. Two individuals accused of blasphemy were killed by police while seeking protection from mobs, highlighting the necessity for such reforms.

The report also noted an uptick in hate speech, with threats against the chief justice and public vilification of elected officials. This increase is attributed to shrinking civic space and emboldened extremist elements.

Alarmingly, bar associations are increasingly aligning with extremist religious groups, which undermines the independence of the legal profession. There are alarming allegations of state institutions colluding in cases where hundreds of young men and women are accused of blasphemy and extorted. The report urges the Pakistan government to establish an inquiry commission based on the findings of the National Commission for Human Rights regarding these blasphemy entrapments.

The HRCP recommends that authorities monitor seminaries involved in the conversion of underage girls. Law enforcement needs better training in intelligence gathering, crowd management, early riot detection, and community policing to protect individuals from mob violence effectively.

The HRCP demands swift action against those who incite mob violence and calls for the establishment of an independent national commission dedicated to minority rights, ensuring equal representation for all religious communities.