Human Rights /Peace Activism

Right to profess religion subject to law, morality, apex court rules

Right to profess religion subject to law, morality, apex court rules Order admits court’s departure from rules of review, in view of religious sensitivities.

https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/07/pakistan-experts-urge-immediate-end-discrimination-and-violence-against

Pakistan: Experts urge immediate end to discrimination and violence against Ahmadis GENEVA – A group of independent experts* today expressed grave concern regarding a reported upsurge in discrimination and violence against Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and detentions, attacks on places of worship and curtailment of free expression...

https://www.dawn.com/news/1841402

Dangerous majoritarianism In such a society, where the state and society nurture and protect an infrastructure of extremism, who can hope for change?

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2024/06/end-escalating-attacks-on-minority-ahmadiyya-community/

Escalating attacks on minority Ahmadiyya community must end in Pakistan Authorities must respect, protect, promote and fulfil the human rights of the members of the Ahmadiyya community.

The Pakistani authorities must end harassment, intimidation and attacks on the Ahmadiyya community and uphold its right to freedom of belief and religion, especially during the religious holidays such as Eidul Azha, said Amnesty International.

It documented 36 cases of arrests and detention in addition to dozens of cases of alleged police harassment of the Ahmadis from June 10 to 19. Several attacks on Ahmadi places of worship also took place with the authorities failing to ensure their security.

“The authorities must end the growing attacks on the Ahmadis. They must respect, protect the human rights of the members of the community,” said Livia Saccardi, the deputy regional director for South Asia at Amnesty International, on the website of the organisation.

“These incidents of human rights violations by district administrations across Pakistan have demonstrated a pattern that Ahmadis remain one of the most systematically discriminated communities in Pakistan,” she added.

Read more: https://www.dawn.com/news/1841097

Genocide of Ahmadis in Pakistan.

The Genocide Of Ahmadis In Pakistan Despite the Supreme Court's ruling in the Tahir Naqqash case, anti-Ahmadi discrimination continues to be sanctioned by state authorities. We would do well to

BaghbanPura Gujranwala Punjab police arrested an Ahmadi Dr. Tahir Ahmad & mistreated his family.
His crime that he was raising a three month pet goat. Police arrested him on 17 June & his whereabouts are still unknown.
His family is worried sick, runing from pole to post. They visited multiple police stations but they have been denied access to their loved one.
A peaceful Ahmadi doctor is missing because police found a 3 month old baby goat at his home on Eid day.
How can police detain an innocent man without a charge & deny access to his family?
Another Ahmadi, Zaheer Ahmad, of Khokharki, Gujranwala, was illegally taken into custody by Thana Jinnah Road Gujranwala on Eid day without any arrest warrant or detention order. Since then, the police has not informed anyone about his whereabouts, causing worry to his family.

FIR registered in Toba Tek against member of Ahmadi community for sacrificing goat on Eidul Azha

FIR registered in Toba Tek against member of Ahmadi community for sacrificing goat on Eidul Azha Complainant is a TLP official, says suspect "pretended to be a Muslim".

https://www.deccanherald.com/world/pakistan-police-destroy-tombstones-of-17-graves-belonging-to-persecuted-ahmadi-community-in-punjab-3068308

Pakistan police destroy tombstones of 17 graves belonging to persecuted Ahmadi community in Punjab

https://www.deccanherald.com/world/36-ahmadi-community-members-arrested-in-pakistan-for-animal-sacrifice-on-eid-ul-adha-3071542

36 Ahmadi community members arrested in Pakistan for animal sacrifice on Eid-ul Adha

https://www.facebook.com/share/QAQmFE1GVkfar1GT/

پنجاب میں جانوروں کی قربانی پر احمدی کمیونٹی کو پولیس کارروائیوں کا سامنا احمدیہ کمیونٹی کو قربانی سے روکنے کے لیے تھانوں میں دائر بیشتر درخواستیں مذہبی جماعت تحریکِ لبیک پاکستان (ٹی ایل پی) کے مقامی رہنماؤں نے جمع کرائی ہیں۔

Today 15 June ,In Daska District Sialkot , an Ahmadi named Qaiser Imran has been detained and his goat has also been taken into police custody. Some people had complained to the police that Qaiser Imran was planning to sacrifice the goat for Qurbani (a religious ritual).
It is extremely regrettable that Ahmadis are being prevented from performing their religious rituals even within the four walls of their homes. Supreme Court Justice Mansoor Ali Shah has clearly ruled that Ahmadis can practice their religion within their 4 walls.
However, the administration is taking illegal actions to harass Ahmadis, causing them distress and fear on the occasion of Eid. We request Pakistan's journalistic and human rights circles to raise their voices against this situation.

Posters seen around city, where Asim Ashfaque, a former sub inspector turned leader, has been seen and heard inciting violence against the community there. Ahmaddiya community across Punjab are facing threats and intimidation with the open support of local police and administration for any kind of Eid ritual, including Eid prayers, or sacrifice, even buying animals. Last week Ashfaque promised to hang anyone who performed any ritual. However this not only falls under it is also a clear violation of the constitution and its laws.

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urges the Government of Punjab to immediately release the three men and ensure that the Ahmadiyya community is provided protection, particularly during Eid al-Adha, to ensure they are able to peacefully exercise their religious beliefs.

Even in difficult security situations, human rights must be protected and any laws that facilitate abuses of these rights should be reviewed thoroughly with a view to amending and/or striking off those provisions which are inconsistent with international human rights standards. https://x.com/amnestysasia/statuse

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On June 10, 2024 Deputy Commissioner Chakwal, Qurat-ul-Ain Malik has issued orders to detain 3 Ahmadis from Chakwal under section 3 (1) of the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance, 1961.
Following are the details:
3 Ahmadis which includes the current President of Ahmadiyya Community District Chakwal Malik Naveed Ahmad , former President of Ahmadiyya Community District Chakwal Malik Riaz Ahmad and Secretary General Affairs Malik Tahir Ahmad were called in yesterday for a meeting with the DSP, SHO and Assistant Commissioner Choa Saidan Shah regarding the upcoming Eid ul Adha. There was also presence of the complainants (opponents of the Ahmadiyya Community) in that meeting. Immense pressure was placed on the Ahmadiyya delegation not to perform the Qurbani. Furthermore, while being harassed they were told to submit a surety bond stating that neither them nor any other Ahmadi in the district will perform Qurbani.
The Ahmadiyya Delegation clearly stated that there is no prohibition in the law which bars Ahmadis from performing the sacred rite of Qurbani. Moreover, the Ahmadiyya Delegation quoted the recent Judgement of the Supreme Court of Pakistan in the case of Tahir Naqash etc vs The State etc authored by Mr. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah where it is clearly stated that Ahmadis has the right to practice their faith within the confinement of 4 walls.
The state representatives in the meeting yesterday completely disregarded the Supreme Court Judgement and continued with their position.
Later on, the complainants were allowed to leave however members of the Ahmadiyya Delegation were illegally held in custody till the evening and afterwards the said 3 Ahmadis were detained under section 3(1) of the MPO, 1960 for a period of 30 days in Jhelum Jail.
Prayer:
This year the harassment against Ahmadis is visibly higher than last year. In addition to not offering Qurbani, Ahmadis are also being forced not to offer the Eid prayers. It is kindly submitted to take notice of this ongoing violation of Ahmadis fundamental rights under the Constitution of Pakistan.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1839163

Rampant zealotry Decades of myopic policies pursued by the state have further aided the radicalisation of significant portions of the population.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1839168/minority-rights

Minority rights Many are scared of a public discussion on the issue of Pakistan’s minorities.

https://www.bbc.com/urdu/articles/c3ggm2z40dpo

منڈی بہاؤالدین میں دو احمدیوں کا قتل: ’دونوں افراد کو ٹارگٹ کیا گیا، ملزم مذہبی شخصیات کی کچھ ویڈیوز سے متاثر تھا‘ - BBC News اردو وسطی پنجاب کے شہر منڈی بہاؤالدین کے ایک گاؤں سعد اللہ پور کی پولیس نے احمدی برادری کے دو افراد کو قتل کرنے کے الزام میں ایک شخص کو گرفتار کیا ہے۔ پولیس حکام کے مطابق مل...

‏ایچ آر سی پی 8 جون کو منڈی بہاؤالدین کے علاقے سعد اللہ پور میں احمدی برادری کے دو افراد کی ٹارگٹ کلنگ کی شدید مذمت کرتا ہے۔ یہ بات خاص طور پر تشویشناک ہے کہ اس حملے کا ملزم مقامی مدرسے کا ایک نوعمر طالب علم تھا، جس کا مبینہ طور پر کہنا ہے کہ اس نے عقیدے پر مبنی وجوہات کی بناء پر یہ قدم اٹھایا ہے۔

احمدی برادری نے بارہا نشاندہی کی ہے کہ انتہا پسندانہ بیانات مقامی نوجوانوں کو بنیاد پرست بنا رہے ہیں، لیکن افسوس کی بات یہ کہ ان کے خدشات کو نظر انداز کیا جاتا رہا ہے۔

ریاست کو مبینہ مجرم کے خلاف فیصلہ کن کارروائی کرنی چاہیے اور نفرت انگیز تقریر سمیت عقیدے کی بنیاد پر تشدد کو ہوا دینے کے ذمہ داروں کا محاسبہ کرنا چاہیے۔

x.com

دو احمدیوں کے قتل کے شبے میں ایک شخص گرفتار -

p.dw.com

https://voicepk.net/2024/05/ahmadi-community-faces-the-most-violence-and-discrimination-in-pakistan-nchr/

‘Ahmadi community faces the most violence and discrimination in Pakistan’: NCHR Voicepk.net > NEWS > National > ‘Ahmadi community faces the most violence and discrimination in Pakistan’: NCHR NationalNEWS ‘Ahmadi community faces the most violence and discrimination in Pakistan’: NCHR 11 Min Read The National Commission for Human Rights expressed deep concern over the vi...

Abdus Salam Science Fair At QAU Cancelled After Pressure From Extremist Groups

Abdus Salam Science Fair At QAU Cancelled After Pressure From Extremist Groups Why the Abdus Salam Science Festival at Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) was cancelled after threats from extremist groups. Explore the impact on academic freedom

https://www.nchr.gov.pk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Ahmadiya-Report.pdf

www.nchr.gov.pk

NCHR Expresses Concerns Over Violating Rights Of Ahmadiyya Community

NCHR Expresses Concerns Over Violating Rights Of Ahmadiyya Community NCHR's report on human rights violations against the Ahmadiyya Community in Pakistan, urging swift action from the government. Learn about the recommendations

Today, HRCP marks ten years since the murder of lawyer Rashid Rehman, our coordinator in Multan, who was gunned down in connection with his work as a human rights defender, while defending a victim of the misuse of the blasphemy laws.

Even as the right to freedom of conscience, thought and belief continues to shrink in Pakistan, Mr Rehman remains an example of ironclad courage and commitment.

HRCP reminds the state that no rights defender should ever have to pay with their life for the work they do. If the state claims to uphold its rights commitments, it must identify and punish Mr Rehman's killers and make a concerted effort to ensure that the blasphemy laws are not weaponized any longer.

‏آج ایچ آر سی پی کے ملتان چیپٹر کے کوآرڈینیٹر اور وکیل راشد رحمان کے قتل کو دس سال گزر چکے ہیں۔ وہ انسانی حقوق کے ایک سرگرم دفاع کار تھے جنہیں توہین مذہب کے قوانین کے غلط استعمال کا شکار ہونے والے ملزم کا مقدمہ لڑنے پر فائرنگ کرکے قتل کر دیا گیا تھا۔

ایک ایسے وقت میں کہ جب پاکستان میں ضمیر، فکر اور عقیدے کی آزادی کا حق محدود ہوتا جارہا ہے، راشد رحمٰن اب بھی ہمت اور عزم کی مثال بنے ہوئے ہیں۔

ایچ آر سی پی ریاست کو یاد دلاتا ہے کہ کسی بھی انسانی حقوق کے دفاع کار کو اپنے کام کی قیمت اپنی زندگی کی صورت میں ادا نہیں کرنی چاہیے۔ اگر ریاست حقوق کی فراہمی پر قائم رہنے کا دعوی کرتی ہے تو اسے راشد رحمان کے قاتلوں کی شناخت کرکے انہیں سزا دینی چاہیے اور یہ یقینی بنانے کے لیے ٹھوس اقدامات کرنے چاہئیں کہ توہین مذہب کے قوانین کا مزید غلط استعمال نہ ہو۔

PRESS RELEASE

2023 marked by gross economic injustice, disregard for Constitution: HRCP releases annual report

Islamabad, 8 May 2024. Apart from the political polarization that continued through 2023, resulting in greater restrictions on civil and political rights, the year was marked by acute distress among ordinary people, caused by the cost-of-living crisis and manifested in large-scale protests countrywide. In its annual report on the state of human rights in 2023, released earlier today, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has thus called urgently for economic justice and protection of civil rights.

The report notes with deep concern that irreparable political divisions spilled over into public acts of arson and violence on 9 May 2023, following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan. What followed was flagrant disregard for the Constitution as unelected forces tightened their grip on the country’s democratic structures and civic spaces shrank to an all-time low.

The state’s response to the 9 May riots was to quell dissent—to the extent of resurrecting military courts to try civilians, perpetrating enforced disappearances, ordering mass arrests and allegedly orchestrating public disassociation from the PTI among many senior party leaders. The right to freedom of expression and assembly took a particular hit during the year. The general elections were also delayed well beyond the 90-day constitutional limit on various grounds, including the need for new delimitations on the basis of the recent census.

The rule of law was markedly poor, with a record six-year high in fatalities related to terrorist attacks and counter-terrorism operations and two militant attacks in Bajaur and Mastung, that collectively left at least 117 dead. The practice of extrajudicial killings continued, while street crime and the incidence of mob lynchings surged.

As in previous years, journalists, activists and political workers were subjected to enforced disappearances across the country. In an admirable show of strength, however, young Baloch women mobilized a long march from Turbat to Islamabad to protest against extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.

Among vulnerable groups, religious minorities reported an increasing climate of fear, especially in the aftermath of an attack in Jaranwala, Punjab, in which scores of churches and homes were torched and looted by mobs, following allegations of blasphemy against a Christian man. In the wake of the federal government’s decision to expel undocumented foreigners. Afghan nationals in particular were rounded up in police raids and sent to deportation centres with little to no legal recourse.

Speaking at the launch of the report, HRCP secretary-general Harris Khalique said that the 2023 economic crisis had ‘pushed tens of millions of ordinary citizens to the brink of desperation.’ Commenting on the high incidence of enforced disappearances, he also deplored the role and performance of the Commission of Inquiry of Enforced Disappearances as 'disgraceful.'

HRCP chairperson Asad Iqbal Butt said that it was critical for the state to fulfil people’s right to education, livelihood and health. Expressing concern over the low rate of trade unionization, he said that attempts to unionize workers were routinely met with harassment and intimidation.

Vice-chair HRCP Islamabad Nasreen Azhar said that that religion continued to be ‘weaponized for political purposes’. Concluding the press conference, co-chair Munizae Jahangir said that the state must protect the right to peaceful protest for all political parties and groups. She pointed out that repressive laws passed in one government’s tenure would return to haunt them when in opposition.

Farah Zia
Director

The report can be accessed here:http://hrcp-web.org/hrcpweb/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/2024-State-of-human-rights-in-2023-EN.pdf

https://hrcp-web.org/hrcpweb/2023-marked-by-gross-economic-injustice-disregard-for-constitution/

hrcp-web.org

Pakistan's Never-Ending Cycle of Religious Barbarity Continues You cannot bend over backwards to strengthen a black law, and expect brainwashed masses with exposure to normalized extremist narratives to not resort to vigilantism