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It is nauseating to let the world know that the government officials and the Police force in Pakistan have descended into such humiliating acts as desecrating the graves of Ahmadi Muslims . The Government sponsored persecution of Ahmadis is rampant and the life of Ahmadis is made hell by denying them all their basic civic and human rights. The government would not leave Ahmadis alone even after they are buried.
It has been reported that the station house officer (SHO) of Pero Chak, district Sialkot where the local Police of Police Station Motra broke the tombstones of graves at the local cemetery on the request of the anti-Ahmadiyya locals. They had only managed to break two of the tombstones when they were asked for the permit. Unable to produce any, they had to return.
The latest news from district Sialkot concerning the situation is extremely disturbing. The cemetery of Pero Chak has been shared by both Ahmadis and non-Ahmadis since 1948. Ahmadis were buried on one side allocated for them whereas non-Ahmadis were being buried on another. On April 6, the Assistant Commissioner (AC) Daska along with the SHO Motra Station and their infantry arrived at the location and broke the rest of the tombstones of 43 graves.
During the incident, the AC was told on the spot that this has been a joint cemetery for the past 71 years between Ahmadis and non-Ahmadis, and that earlier all residents have been living here in harmony. However, a local cleric Maulawi Irfan Asad has now disturbed the aforementioned peace. Ignoring these pleas and requests, the AC continued to have the tombstones broken. Pictures of some desecrated tombstones and graves can be found below.
The persecution carried out against the Ahmadiyya Community in Pakistan is not only limited to those who are alive, but the Ahmadis that have passed away are also not safe in their graves.
The illegal act taken by the DPO Hafizabad Police against the Ahmadiyya Community in Pakistan is not only an act of violation of basic Human Rights, but also it is an act that has further dimmed the face of our beloved country Pakistan in the eyes of the International Community.
The world community must take serious notice of such distressful acts of delinquent behaviour against humanity. These must be stopped. These are unacceptable.
On July 13, 2021, UN human rights experts expressed their deep concern over the lack of attention to the serious human rights violations perpetrated against the Ahmadiyya community around the world and called on the international community to step up efforts in bringing an end to the ongoing persecution of Ahmadis.
We strongly urge the international community to impress upon the Government of Pakistan to honour its responsibility to provide effective protection and freedom of religious practice to Ahmadis and that perpetrators of such vicious attacks should be brought to justice, to bring its laws and practices in conformity with international standards as ordained by Article 20 and United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 2, 18 and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Article 25, 26.
More information :
Home Office Country Policy and Information Note Pakistan Ahmadis
ICJ Violations of the Right to Freedom of Religion or Belief in Pakistan
UN three SRs joint statement issued on Ahmadiyya Persecution worldwide issued on 13 July 2021
USCIRF 2021 Ahmadiyya Persecution Factsheet
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