UN Experts Urge Pakistan to End Persecution of Ahmadiyya Community, Uphold Freedom of Religion or Belief

Geneva — UN experts have expressed grave concern over continuing reports of discrimination, violence, and legal restrictions targeting members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Pakistan, calling on authorities to ensure their protection and uphold the country’s international human rights obligations.
“We are deeply concerned by persistent reports that members of the Ahmadiyya community continue to face harassment, criminal prosecution, violence, and exclusion because of their religious identity,” the experts said, stressing that every individual has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, and that no one should be subjected to discrimination, intimidation, or violence, nor prevented from peacefully manifesting their faith.
The experts noted with concern reports of ongoing attacks on Ahmadi places of worship, desecration of graves, interference with religious observance during Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha, arrests and prosecutions related to religious practice or identity, and hate speech. They said the state has a responsibility to exercise due diligence to prevent human rights violations, investigate allegations promptly and impartially, prosecute those responsible in accordance with international standards, and provide effective remedies to victims.
“Pakistan must break the pattern of impunity that has allowed perpetrators of attacks and incitement to hatred and violence to act without restraint,” the experts said, adding that such attacks take place with tacit official complicity while a cycle of fear prevents institutions from upholding the rights and dignity of minority groups.
Recent events surrounding Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha demonstrate that Ahmadis in Pakistan continue to face a system of discrimination extending beyond public life into the privacy of their own homes. No individual should face arrest, detention, surveillance, or criminal prosecution simply for observing religious festivals and practices, the experts said.
They called on the Government of Pakistan to ensure equal protection under the law for all individuals regardless of religion or belief, and urged a review of legislation and administrative measures inconsistent with international human rights obligations — including freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression, freedom of association and assembly, cultural rights, and equality before the law.
“Combating religious intolerance requires more than responding to individual incidents,” the experts said. “It requires sustained efforts to foster respect for diversity, counter incitement to hatred and violence, and create an environment in which all religious or belief communities can live in safety and dignity.”
The experts said they remain in contact with the Government of Pakistan and reaffirmed their readiness for constructive dialogue with authorities and stakeholders to strengthen protection of freedom of religion or belief and the rights of religious minorities in the country.