The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has raised concerns over the “continued” marginalisation of minorities, saying the recent developments “belie the state’s commitment to freedom of religion or belief”.
REPORT LAUNCH: HRCP’s report ‘A Breach of Faith: Freedom of Religion or Belief in 2021-22’ observes with considerable alarm developments during 2021/22 that belie the state’s commitment to freedom of religion or belief. 1/3@EUPakistan https://t.co/Vpj4o5KxRw pic.twitter.com/aKgY61f0iS
— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) February 7, 2023
The HRCP, in a report titled: A Breach of Faith: Freedom of Religion or Belief in 2021-22, said that “it has observed with considerable alarm developments during 2021/22 that belie the state’s commitment to freedom of religion or belief.”
The report pointed out that the incidence of forced conversions in Sindh has remained “worryingly consistent”. It also added that the desecration of Ahmadi worship places has continued with no response from the State.
The incidence of forced conversions in Sindh has remained worryingly consistent. Reports of religious minorities’ sites of worship being desecrated have continued, but with no response from the state when such incidents involve sites associated with the Ahmadiyya community. 2/3
— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) February 7, 2023
In Punjab, the mandatory declaration of faith for marriage certificates has further marginalised the Ahmadiyya community, while attempts to enforce a standardised national curriculum have created an exclusionary narrative that sidelines Pakistan’s religious minorities. 3/3
— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) February 7, 2023
“In Punjab, the mandatory declaration of faith for marriage certificates has further marginalised the Ahmadiyya community, while attempts to enforce a standardised national curriculum have created an exclusionary narrative that sidelines Pakistan’s religious minorities,” it added.
