On the occasion of the 84th Session of the United Nations Committee Against Torture (CAT) in Geneva, CAP Liberté de Conscience participated in a pre-session meeting held at Palais Wilson. This consultation with CAT experts took place prior to the official review of Pakistan, offering a platform to present our joint report with the International Human Rights Committee (IHRC).
On March 5, 2026, CAP LC and the IHRC submitted a joint report to the UN Committee Against Torture regarding Pakistan’s compliance with the Convention. The document highlights the systemic persecution of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, arguing that state discrimination creates an environment facilitating torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. Key cases include the custodial death of Dr. Tahir Mahmood, the life imprisonment of Mubarak Ahmad Sani for religious devotion, and escalating targeted killings. The submission urges the Committee to demand investigations, the repeal of discriminatory blasphemy laws, and immediate protection for detainees, emphasizing the state’s failure to prevent violence against this minority.
CAP Liberté de Conscience is an international non-governmental organization dedicated to defending human rights, with a specialized focus on protecting religious minorities worldwide. While our expertise centers on religious freedom, we recognize that a comprehensive understanding requires insights from diverse expert perspectives.
In the heart of Bangladesh, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community continues to face systematic persecution, challenging fundamental principles of religious freedom and human rights. The recent tragic death of 16-year-old Shahriar Rakeen epitomizes the ongoing violence and discrimination faced by this religious minority.
The 142nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Committee, held on October 17-18, 2024 at the Palais Wilson in Geneva, provided an opportunity for an in-depth dialogue between the Committee experts and the official delegation of Pakistan. At the heart of the discussions was the question of freedom of religion and discrimination against religious minorities, particularly the Ahmadiyya community, which raised serious concerns among the Committee members.
