Thousands of Ahmadi Muslims in Germany who have fled severe religious persecution in Pakistan are awaiting a decision on their asylum applications. They belong to a religiously and politically persecuted minority – the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
It is recognized around the world by human rights groups that Ahmadi Muslims are constantly, ruthlessly persecuted.
Under Pakistan’s draconian blasphemy laws their universal and fundamental human rights have been negate. The freedom of religion and all other freedoms have been usurped by the Government of Pakistan.
Under the 1974 amendment to the Constitution and the 1984 Ordinance XX, Ahmadis in Pakistan cannot profess, express, or practice their faith. They are discriminated in all aspects of life. They cannot vote. Their children are denied the right to education. The traders are boycotted, and businessmen are refused export, import licenses.
With the support and protection of the State, the extremists, fanatics, and the venomously prejudiced clergy, together with their vandal accomplices openly incite public to kill Ahmadis and destroy their properties and places of worship. Hundreds have been murdered under fabricated blasphemy laws. Hundreds of Ahmadiyya graves have been desecrated and coffins excavated and thrown out of the cemetery.
Under such circumstances, Ahmadis take life threatening risks to flee Pakistan and seek asylum in other countries where they hope to find peace and an environment in which they can live a normal life.
So far in 2023 alone, seven Ahmadi masques have been destroyed in the country and a Norwegian doctor murdered.
Despite these circumstances, Ahmadi Muslims continue to be regularly deported from Germany to Pakistan. Many NGOs have also criticised these deportations and called for a reassessment of the situation in Pakistan.
Article 1 of the Basic Law in Germany states that human dignity is inviolable. Article 16a of the Basic Law guarantees politically persecuted persans a basic individual right to asylum in Germany. The EU’s obligation to help those in need of protection is enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the Treaty on the Functioning of the EuropeanUnion.
The Geneva Refugee Convention is the most important international document for refugee protection. The Convention clearly defines who is a refugee, what legal protection, assistance and social rights she or he should receive from the signatory states. But it also defines the obligations a refugee must fulfil towards the host country and excludes certain groups • such as war criminals – from refugee status.
Germany is also a signatory to this convention. Millions of people who fled war and violence have sought protection in Germany. Germany is a country of immigration and urgently needs skilled workers.
The traffic light coalition in Germany has taken many measures and passed laws to better manage migration. However, the number of deportations has also increased. Even to those countries where blasphemy laws are practiced in the strongest terms. Deportations of Ahmadi Muslims to Pakistan have increased sharply in the past.
The UNHCR also came to the assessment that members of the Ahmadiyya communities in Pakistan are entitled to a protection status due to their persecution as a religious minority.
However, we are sorry to report that European countries like Germany, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland and Norway do not appreciate and understand the calamitous situation of Ahmadis in Pakistan and not only reject their asylum cases but deport them back to Pakistan which is very much like pushing someone into the pit of fire.
We strongly urge the to plead with the countries mentioned to treat Ahmadi asylum seekers as required under the Refugee Convention and provide them a safe home to settle and lead a peaceful and productive life.
Germany must recognise the persecution of Ahmadis in Pakistan and offer prospects for Ahmadis seeking protection to stay in Germany.
Source : International Human Rights Committee
