Source International Human Rights Committee
An Ahmadi Muslim lawyer has been brutally attacked in Lalian, Punjab.
Mr. Aamir Munir was assaulted on 13th April 2023 in his chamber in Tehsil Lalian Chiniot, Punjab with a cleaver to his head whilst the attacker shouted and made clear his intentions of wanting to kill Mr. Aamir Munir. He sustained severe injuries and is admitted to hospital. Munir defends members of the community accused of blasphemy. The man accused is known to be associated with Madrassa Khatm-e-Nabuwat, which is well known for its anti-Ahmadiyya activities. The assailant had previously attacked another Ahmadi man and is recognised to be violent towards the community.
Just recently, the District Bar Council of Gujranwala, Punjab, Pakistan, also issued a notice dated 07 March 2023 that with immediate effect Ahmadi Lawyers will not be admitted to the Bar Council unless they sign an affidavit condemning the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community as a liar and a fraudulent claimant of prophethood.
See IHRC Incident Report date 15th March 2023.
We urge the relevant Bar Associations around the world to take notice of such attacks and ensure that rule of law is respected, and Article 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is adhered to which is entitled to a fair trial. The right to legal counsel is a key element of the rule of law.
We urge lawyers to take notice of these recent escalation in targeting defenders of human rights and the rule of law in Pakistan in order to further persecute peaceful members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
We once again urge the international community to pressure the Government of Pakistan to honour its responsibility to provide protection to all its citizens, ensure freedom of religious practice to Ahmadis, and bring perpetrators of such vicious attacks to justice.
The Government of Pakistan must also bring its laws and practices in conformity with international standards as ordained by Article 2, 18 and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Article 25, 26.
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 maximize their efforts in bringing an end to the ongoing persecution of Ahmadis.
IHRC has been striving for many years to inform the world regarding the atrocities and brutalities that the Ahmadi Muslims endure due to their faith.
