Source : : www.hrcommittee.org – Twitter: Twitter.com/@IHumanRightsC
Police in Pakistan have demolished the minarets of a 108-year-old Mosque of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Moti Bazaar Wazirabad.
The action took place in the middle of the night and represents a gross violation by the State authorities. It violates basic human rights of religious freedom and the Supreme Court’s decision in 2014 to protect places of worship. There was no legal justification for this action.
This is yet another state sponsored extremist incident of violence against the Ahmadiyya Community. The Mosque was built in 1915 and its sole purpose was for worship.
An extremist agenda sponsored by the state is being pursued against the Ahmadiyya community with authorities encouraging this type of violent behaviour which defies all norms of religious sanctimony.
Last month police destroyed minarets at the Ahmadiyya Mosque in Baghanpura, Gujranwala.
Human rights groups have repeatedly 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.
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 once again urge the international community to pressure the Government of Pakistan to honor 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.
ANNEXURE A:
Media Links:
https://www.thefridaytimes.com/2023/01/11/police-raze-minarets- of-another-ahmadi-place-of-worship-in-gujranwala/
https://thecurrent.pk/punjab-police-demolishes-minaret-of-ahmadi- ibadatgah-in-wazirabad/
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2395315/police-accused-of- desecration-of-ahmadi-worship-place-in-wazirabad
More information
UK Home Office Country Policy and Information Note Pakistan Ahmadis
UN three SRs joint statement issued on Ahmadiyya Persecution worldwide issued on 13 July 2021
USCIRF 2021 Ahmadiyya Persecution Factsheet
CAP LC HRC Written statement International community must pay attention to the state- sponsored persecution of Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan and worldwide
Submission 42th UPR Session PAKISTAN Jan – Feb 2023 Persecution of Ahmadis in Pakistan
