HRCP Report Unveils Alarming Rise in Violence Against Religious Minorities in Pakistan

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan's latest report reveals a worrying increase in violence against religious minorities. It highlights brutal killings, the demolition of religious sites, and forced conversions. Despite limited progress, the report underscores the urgent need for reform and accountability within law enforcement and legal institutions.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has raised alarms over the escalating violence against religious minorities in its recently launched report, Streets of Fear: Freedom of Religion or Belief in 2024/25. The report unveiled during a seminar, outlines a harrowing year for minority rights in Pakistan and urges immediate reforms.

According to HRCP's posts on X (formerly Twitter), the report stresses an unsettling rise in attacks, including the destruction of worship sites and targeted killings, particularly of Ahmadis. Two individuals facing blasphemy charges were extrajudicially killed by police seeking refuge from mobs, underscoring the urgent need for law enforcement reforms.

The report also highlights systemic issues, such as forced conversions and underage marriages of Christian and Hindu girls, pointing to failures in child marriage restraint laws. The rise in hate speech and bar associations aligning with extremist groups further threatens civic space. Despite these issues, there is some progress, such as the enactment of the Child Marriage Restraint Act 2025 and new legislation for countering violent extremism. HRCP urges federal action and an inquiry based on the National Commission for Human Rights' findings on blasphemy entrapments.

(With inputs from agencies.)