Madame Presidente,
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is perhaps the most obviously persecuted religion in the world today.
The Ahmadiyya Muslims are victims of state-sponsored persecution in Pakistan.
One of the most recent examples is the target killing of doctor Abdul Qadir on 11 February simply due to the profession of his Islamic faith.
Successive Pakistani governments have failed to respect, protect and promote the human rights of Ahmadis, forcing many to flee to other countries.
Recently, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority an arm of the Pakistan Government has enacted new regulations using cyber laws that would extend the reach of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws to even Ahmadi Muslims living outside of Pakistan, including Europe and the United States where 2 US citizens are now facing charges for referring to themselves as Muslims.
Digitally policing Ahmadis no matter where they are is a violation of Pakistan’s legal obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The Pakistani authorities must end their ongoing, targeted and systematic persecution of the Ahmadiyya religious minority, which is now extending across borders.
Pakistan should ensure that everyone in Pakistan is able to express themselves and profess their religion freely.
Thank you
