CAP Liberté de Conscience November 2024
Escalating Violence Against a Vulnerable Minority
The International Human Rights Committee (IHRC) has released a chilling report documenting the ongoing systematic persecution of the Ahmadi religious minority in Pakistan. The October 27th, 2024 report reveals a disturbing pattern of targeted violence, desecration of religious sites, and explicit threats of extermination.
Key Incidents of Persecution
Targeted Threats and Destruction of Sacred Spaces
The report highlights several alarming incidents:
- An extremist cleric, Naeem Chatta Qadri, openly advocated for the “extermination of Ahmadis”
- Multiple graveyards have been vandalized, with tombstones deliberately destroyed
- Ahmadi worship places have been systematically demolished by local authorities
- Threats of violence have become increasingly explicit and widespread
A Systematic Campaign of Intimidation
The IHRC documented multiple specific incidents, including:
- Destruction of 50 Ahmadi gravestones in Goi, Kotli
- Demolition of minarets and worship place niches in various locations
- Continuous threats forcing Ahmadis to migrate from their communities
International Condemnation
The IHRC report underscores the severity of the situation:
“Persecution against Ahmadis has ramped up as of late, as the IHRC has reported almost daily incidents against the minority group. Graveyards vandalism and Mosque Minarets’ demolition has been a favored tactic of the Anti-Ahmadiyya element in Pakistan for years. This shameful tactic means Ahmadis are not free from persecution even after their death.”
UN Human Rights Committee’s Findings
The recent UN Human Rights Committee report (CCPR/C/PAK/CO/2) directly addresses these concerns. The committee expressed deep concern about:
- Increasing discrimination against religious minorities
- Lack of effective protection for Ahmadis
- Persistent hate speech and violence
- Systemic legal frameworks that enable discrimination
Recommendations and Call for Action
The UN Human Rights Committee urged Pakistan to:
- Prevent and investigate discrimination
- Protect religious minorities
- Ensure prompt and impartial investigations of violent acts
- Provide adequate reparations to affected communities
Despite international pressure and clear recommendations from the UN Human Rights Committee, the persecution of Ahmadis in Pakistan continues unabated. The systematic targeting of this religious minority represents a grave violation of fundamental human rights and demands immediate international attention and intervention.
Note: This article is based on the IHRC report dated 27 October 2024 and the UN Human Rights Committee report CCPR/C/PAK/CO/2.
