CAP Freedom of Conscience September 2024
The International Human Rights Committee (IHRC) has expressed concern, about the increasing violence and intimidation against the Ahmadiyya community, in Pakistan. In a statement released by the IHRC mentioned that extremist groups armed with weapons are specifically targeting Ahmadis for what they have termed as “Operation Neat and Clean Pakistan.”
A troubling event was described in the report involving TLP radicals and religious leaders who assembled outside an Ahmadiyya mosque, in Lahore and called for its shutdown while besieging the property. The authorities allegedly chose not to intervene to safeguard the Ahmadis and were said to have observed the attack without taking action.
These recent events follow an instance where a Sunni cleric named Maulvi Manzoor Mengal urged for the killing of Ahmadis by branding them as “apostates.” The IHRC has documented these perilous remarks before. They have unfortunately led to a surge, in aggression, against the Ahmadiyya group.
The IHRC has shown worry, about the ” dangers” Ahmadis are confronting in Pakistan and cautioned that this could potentially result in a “looming massacre.” They have made a pressing plea, for assistance to avert such an eventuality.
The discrimination, against the Ahmadiyya community clearly goes against the established human rights principles and regulations outlined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) well as Article 18 of the International Covenant, on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Pakistan’s endorsement of these articles ensures the protection of freedom and beliefs.
Additionally the IHRC has pointed out that these violent acts and deliberate assaults targeting the Ahmadiyya community do not align with Pakistan’s National Action Plan and laws, against cybercrime aimed at curbing the dissemination of hate speech and discrimination.
Despite the ethical responsibilities, at hand the authorities in the Pakistani government have not effectively addressed the extremist organizations and hate speech that drive the persecution of Ahmadis.Of taking action against these issues the government has opted to pursue trivial charges against Ahmadi Muslims using laws related to anti Ahmadiyya actions as well as blasphemy and cybercrime regulations. They have chosen to ignore the organized attempts made by extremists to provoke violence, against this community.
In July 2024s the UNs Human Rights specialists called for a halt, to discrimination and violence targeting Ahmadis in Pakistan due to cases of killings and arrests as well as assaults on religious sites and restrictions on basic freedoms, like expression and assembly. Unfortunately s their appeals have not been heeded by the authorities.
The IHRC has asked the authorities to uphold their human rights obligations and swiftly safeguard the Ahmadiyya community while encouraging religious acceptance. They also kindly appeal to the community to pressure Pakistan’s government to align its laws and actions, with norms as outlined in the UDHR and ICCPR.
The mistreatment of the Ahmadiyya community, in Pakistan is an infringement, on rights that cannot be overlooked. The global community should come together to denounce these injustices and urge the government to uphold its duty to safeguard the rights and liberties of all its people regardless of their religious beliefs.
