Monitoring The Plight Of The Ahmadiyya Community - NCHR Report
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- INTRODUCTION
- BACKGROUND
- NCHR VISIT TO RABWAH
- STATISTICAL OVERVIEW
- CONCLUSIONS
- RECOMMENDATIONS
- ANNEX A
- ANNEX B
- ANNEX C
- ANNEX D
INTRODUCTION
National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) is an independent statutory body established by the National Commission for Human Rights Act, 2012. This Commission is mandated to work for the promotion and protection of human rights as provided for in the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and various international instruments to which Pakistan is a state party. Amongst different statutory functions, the Commission has to review safeguards provided to citizens, and to every other person for the time being within Pakistan under constitutional human rights guarantees. Based on any such review, the Commission is to recommend effective legislative or administrative measures for effective implementation of the safeguards to the Government of Pakistan.
In exercise of its statutory functions, the Commission has been following media reports, and individual complaints received from the Ahmadiyya community. The Commission has also been approached by Ahmadiyya organizations with written complaints that contain statistical information on alleged acts of human rights violations and attacks on places of worship. Such incidents lead many human rights observers to consider the Ahmadiyya community to be one of the most persecuted religious communities in Pakistan. The nature and severity of complaints required the Commission to conduct a situation report on incidents of violence on this religious minority.
BACKGROUND
In April 26, 1984, the government promulgated Ordinance XX which amended the Pakistan Penal Code to criminalize certain religious activities of Ahmadis. This legal framework made it a criminal offense for Ahmadis to identify themselves as Muslims, punishable under blasphemy laws.
Since then, Ahmadis have faced harassment and persecution despite the stated policy of the government to provide safeguards for realization of the constitutional guarantees to all religious minorities. As such, there have been numerous reports available which show a hostile climate that contributes to mob violence, vigilantism and numerous accusations of blasphemy against the community. In recent months, reports and complaints have been received that Ahmadi worship places are becoming frequent targets of destruction. The community members have also complained that they are routinely stopped from burying their deceased in the local cemeteries, compelling them to travel long distances for burials. Reports suggest instances of deceased bodies being exhumed, sometimes under police orders, on the pretext of improper burial in a Muslim graveyard. In a notable incident on December 6, 2012, in Model Town, Lahore, 15 armed men vandalized and destroyed over 120 graves belonging to the Ahmadiyya Community. Many persons have been murdered after open declarations branding Ahmadis as ‘Wajibul Qatl’ (liable to be killed) and the vilification of the community has created an atmosphere of fear. It is learnt that many Ahmadis seek asylum on grounds of religious persecution.
NCHR VISIT TO RABWAH
In response to the reports pointing to deeply rooted discrimination and persecution faced by the Ahmadiyya Community, and a large number of complaints it had received, the NCHR undertook a fact-finding mission from September 17th to 18th, 2023, in Rabwah (Chenab Nagar), Punjab. The primary objective of the mission was to investigate a myriad of reported human rights violations against the Ahmadiyya Community, with a particular focus on threats to their worship places and burial. The visit was also meant to prepare a policy brief to comprehensively understand and monitor the challenges faced by the community. The NCHR aims to shed light on the urgent need to safeguard the rights and safety of all citizens of Pakistan.
On September 17th, 2023, the NCHR team convened with elders of the community at the Saddar Ahmadiyya Anjuman Pakistan Office in Rabwah. In this meeting, community representatives brought to light a spectrum of issues they confronted. These included the maintenance of a separate electoral list, discriminations faced by students across various educational institutions nationwide, uncooperative behavior exhibited by the police, employment and workplace discrimination, and the desecration of graveyards and worship places.
During the visit, NCHR also heard about the various threats received by the Ahmadiyya community. Of special concern was the situation in Daska, where there were open threats to demolish the minarets of a historic worship place belonging to the Ahmadiyya community. This historic site, situated in the old city of Daska, had been erected before the partition of the Indian subcontinent by Sir Zafarullah Khan, a prominent figure in the Pakistan Movement and the country’s first foreign minister.
It is crucial to note that the Lahore High Court has recently issued an order explicitly declaring that the minarets on Ahmadiyya community’s worship places, constructed prior to the 1984 law, could not be demolished or altered. Despite the existence of this clear and legally binding court order, several old worship places of the Ahmadi community have been subjected to attacks and acts of vandalism in the recent past.
During the discussion, the community representatives stated that the root causes of persecution against Ahmadis stem from the second amendment of 1974 to the Constitution of Pakistan, which declares Ahmadis as non-Muslims. Additionally, they highlighted the prevalent hate speech against Ahmadis, especially on social media, coupled with religious incitement aimed at teenagers and hate speech propagated against them. They informed of the severe emotional and psychological trauma and fear that Ahmadiyya youth faced in daily life.
In recent events, a significant number of Ahmadis faced persecution across the country for celebrating “Eid-ul-Adha”. The representatives also shed light on the particular marginalization, targeting, and discrimination experienced by Ahmadi women. This discrimination permeates all aspects of their lives, including limited access to education and job opportunities, restrictions in practicing their religious customs, daily harassment, violence, and a lack of representation in decision-making spaces.
Moreover, the representatives stated that the attacks on Ahmadis compel them to migrate from cities and even the country. The victims of persecution often abandon their homes and businesses, seeking refuge in safer locations. The challenging circumstances further extend to difficulties in selling properties at fair market value. Discrimination within educational institutes and workplaces compels many Ahmadi students and professionals to forsake their education and jobs, perpetuating a cycle of displacement and disenfranchisement.
The NCHR team held a meeting with individuals who have been victims of persecution, noting that a significant number of them exhibited signs of psychological trauma and were grappling with mental health issues arising from direct or indirect incidents of attacks and discrimination against them.
Among those met by the NCHR team was Mr. Tariq, a resident of Nankana Sahib who had relocated to Rabwah for safety reasons. During the meeting, Mr. Tariq shared a harrowing incident where he and his son, a recent returnee to Pakistan after completing his MBBS abroad, were attacked while going to offer prayers. Tragically, a teenager opened fire on them, resulting in the immediate death of Mr. Tariq’s young son, Tahir, and leaving Mr. Tariq with severe injuries. The court, acknowledging the gravity of the offense, had sentenced the assailant to life imprisonment.
In his plea to the NCHR team, Mr. Tariq requested intervention with the government to implement administrative measures aimed at protecting individuals like him and his son from future assailants. His heartfelt plea underscored the urgent need for preventive measures to ensure that no one is killed due to targeted hatred and violence.
Similarly, Ms. Myra shared the story about the murder of her father by a follower of an extremist organization in Rabwah. The accused stabbed him to death on 08 August,2022 and case is under progress. Ms. Myra was frustrated by the delay in the case and hoped that timely hearings of the case may be scheduled to dispense justice to the family.
STATISTICAL OVERVIEW
The Commission has reviewed statistical data provided to NCHR by the Ahmadi Community detailing a wide range of human rights abuses against the community. According to these reports, Ahmadis face an astonishing number of legal charges – 765 cases for displaying the Kalima, 47 cases for calling the Azan, 861 cases for preaching, and various others. Even celebrations of events, like the Ahmadiyya Centenary in 1989 or the 100 years’ anniversary of the eclipses in 1894, are met with legal repercussions, exemplifying the extent of restrictions on their religious freedoms.
There are also criminal cases being reported on blasphemy charges under PPC 295-C, with 334 Ahmadis facing such criminal charges. In one instance, the former Supreme Head of the Ahmadiyya Community living in London was charged in absentia in sixteen cases, while the present Supreme Head faces charges in two cases. Entire populations, such as Rabwah, the headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Community, and Ahmadis in Kotli, have faced collective legal actions, reflecting the systemic discrimination embedded in the legal system.
The statistics of human rights violations provided by the community from 1984 to September 2023 show that 280 Ahmadis have lost their lives due to targeted violence, and an additional 415 have faced assaults because of their faith. The assault on the religious identity of Ahmadis is evident in the demolition of 51 Ahmadiyya worship places and the sealing of 46 others by authorities. Furthermore, 39 worship places have been set on fire or damaged, and 18 forcibly occupied, revealing a systematic effort to eradicate spaces of worship integral to the community.
The authorities have also obstructed the construction of 62 Ahmadiyya worship places, reinforcing institutional discrimination. The violation extends to the sanctity of the deceased, with 39 bodies of Ahmadis exhumed after burial, and burial denied in a common cemetery for 96 individuals. Disturbingly, 99 Ahmadi graves have been desecrated and damaged in the current year alone, emphasizing the nature of the assault on their dignity, even in death according to various reports.
The 64 incidents of removal of the Kalima from the homes and shops of Ahmadis and 115 incidents of removal from their worship places, further underscores deep-seated discrimination and intolerance in their daily lives. These statistics highlight the urgent need for concerted efforts to address and rectify the systematic and grave violations faced by the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan.1
It is noteworthy that there are a limited number of Ahmadis detained in jail under the Blasphemy Law, indicating a lack of due legal process. This suggests that they have primarily fallen victim to vigilante actions carried out by frenzied mobs rather than the due process of law.
Note: All data presented in this report and “Statistical Overview” is sourced from the Saddar Ahmadiyya Anjuman Pakistan Office.
CONCLUSIONS
The Commission is concerned over human rights violations of the Ahmadiyya community. The Constitution and law of the land expressly grant legal entitlements including right to profess religion to every citizen, and every other person present in Pakistan for the time being. However, having merely a legal entitlement is not enough until it is fully realized in reality for a citizen. It is the paramount duty of the government to take all necessary measures in order to realize the wide array of human rights to the religious minorities. The religious discrimination and physical threat to life and property of Ahmadiyya community is a matter of urgency which demands swift action from the government.
This Commission has written to the Ministry of Human Rights, local and district administration, as well as the police on concerns voiced by the community and for strict action against perpetrators of religious persecution and violence.
In several cases NCHR has intervened to; ensure the readmission of students rusticated due to their faith, to avert possible attacks on places of worship and to ensure the implementation of sec 297 PPC which criminalizes trespass in places of sepulture and indignity to human corpses.
NCHR continues to advocate that the federal and provincial governments take urgent and strong action for the protection of the Ahmadiyya community. The Commission further recommends the following measures to fully implement human rights entitlements.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- Government should ensure implementation of Article 20 of its Constitution, guaranteeing complete freedom to propagate and practice faith.
- Government should take all possible steps to ensure that all minorities, as well as Ahmadis have benefit of the same fundamental rights as other citizens of Pakistan. It should establish a dedicated oversight mechanism responsible for ensuring the protection of the Ahmadiyya community. This mechanism should work in close collaboration with relevant government bodies and law enforcement agencies.
- Including the names and addresses of the Ahmadiyya Community in a separate electoral list poses a serious threat to their lives, and the public display of such lists exacerbates the danger to the community. Maintaining their names separately in the electoral list constitutes an act of discrimination, especially considering that names of all other minorities are included in the general electoral list.
- Government should provide equal employment opportunities to all minorities.
- Government should fulfill its commitments under the international human rights framework and actively implement the principles of freedom of religion and belief as outlined in the ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights). Ensuring that the legal framework guarantees equal rights and protections for all citizens, irrespective of their religious beliefs.
- Government should take strict actions against those extremist elements who are involved in sponsoring hate speech against Ahmadis.
- Government should establish and enforce a robust regulatory framework preventing the dissemination of hatred and extremism in educational institutions
- Education Ministries (Federal and Provincial) must take steps to curb discrimination against Ahmadi students in educational institutes and hostels.
- Initiate comprehensive educational reforms in Pakistan and integrate educational initiatives promoting tolerance into school curricula. By educating the younger generation, a more inclusive and understanding society can be cultivated.
- Ensure swift and impartial prosecution of individuals involved in attacks or threats against the Ahmadiyya community. Timely administrative and legal action is crucial in deterring potential perpetrators and reinforcing the rule of law. Government should take serious actions against those involved in the activities of desecration of Ahmadis worship places and graveyards
- Capacity building of Police is crucial in dealing with matters relating to minority communities. .
- Establish specialized police task force with professional training to protect places of worship of minorities as specified in the Supreme Court Order of Justice Jillani dated 19.06. 2014. These task forces must work under notified SOPs to specifically address and prevent attacks on Ahmadiyya persons and worship places. These task forces should receive targeted training on religious tolerance, cultural sensitivity, and the unique challenges faced by minority communities.
- Launch nationwide public awareness campaigns to foster a culture of tolerance and respect for religious diversity. These campaigns should emphasize the importance of coexistence and challenge stereotypes that contribute to discrimination against the Ahmadiyya community.
- Government needs to control hate speech against Ahmadis on mainstream media and on social media.
ANNEX A
Updated Statistics Of Police Cases Registered Against Ahmadis On Religious Grounds, In Pakistan (From April 1984 to Sep 11, 2023)
NO.
Description of cases
Total number of cases
1
Number of Ahmadis booked for displaying Kalima, i.e. “There is none worthy of worship except Allah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah”
765
2
Number of Ahmadis booked for calling Azan, call to prayers
47
3
Number of Ahmadis booked for ‘posing’ as Muslims
533
4
Number of Ahmadis booked for using Islamic epithets
176
5
Number of Ahmadis booked for offering prayers
93
6
Number of Ahmadis booked for preaching, etc.
861
7
Number of Ahmadis booked for celebrating Ahmadiyya Centenary in 1989
27
8
Number of Ahmadis booked for celebrating 100 years’ anniversary of the eclipses of sun & moon that occurred in 1894
50
9
Number of Ahmadis booked for distributing a pamphlet ‘EkHarf-e- Nasihana’ i.e. ‘A Word of Advice’ commenting upon anti-Ahmadiyya
Ordinance XX
27
10
Number of Ahmadis booked for distributing “Mubahala” pamphlet, i.e. A challenge to the opponents for prayer duel
148
11
Number of Ahmadis booked for allegedly defiling the Holy Quran
80
12
Number of Ahmadis charged under the “Blasphemy Law”, i.e. PPC 295-C
334
13
Number of named Ahmadis booked in other cases on religious grounds
1294
14
Former Supreme Head of the Community while living in London was charged in his absence in sixteen cases.
16
15
Present Supreme Head of the Community while living in London
charged in cases:
2
16
The entire population of Rabwah i.e. Ahmadiyya headquarters in Pakistan was charged under section PPC 298-C on 15-12-1989, and again on June 8, 2008. (Population of Rabwah is approximately sixty thousand.)
17
A case against the entire Ahmadi population of Ahmadis in Kotli, was registered for taking up repairs and improvement in their mosque in 2008
ANNEX B
Statistics of other Human Rights violations
(From 1984 to Sep 11, 2023, except where mentioned otherwise)
1
Number of Ahmadis killed
280
2
Ahmadis assaulted for their faith
415
3
Number of Ahmadiyya worship places demolished
51
4
Number of Ahmadiyya worship places sealed by the authorities
46
5
Number of Ahmadiyya worship places set on fire or damaged
39
6
Number of Ahmadiyya worship places forcibly occupied
18
7
Number of Ahmadiyya worship places, construction of which was barred by the
authorities
62
8
Ahmadis’ bodies exhumed after burial
39
9
Burial of Ahmadis was denied in common cemetery
96
10
Ahmadis graves desecrated and damaged this year (2023)
99
11
Number of incidents of Kalima removal from Ahmadis’ houses and shops
64
12
Number of incidents of Kalima removal from Ahmadis’ worship places
115
ANNEX C
Incidents of Attacks on Ahmadiyya Places of Worship 2023
S.No
Date
Place
Details
1
10/11 January, 2023
Ahmadiyya Place of Worship, Moti Bazaar, Wazirabad
The Police brought down the Minarets of place of worship
2
18th January, 2023
Ahmadiyya Place of Worship Martin Road, Karachi
A Mob of Miscreants damaged the Minarets of the
Place of Worship
3
02rd February, 2023
Ahmadiyya Hall, Saddar, Karachi
A Mob of Miscreants damaged the Minarets of the Place of Worship
4
03rd February, 2023
Village of Chaudary Javed Ahmad, Mirpurkhas
Unknown Persons brought down the Minarets and set the Place of Worship on
fire
5
03rd February, 2023
Noor Nagar, Umerkot
Unknown Persons set the Place of Worship on Fire
6
04th February, 2023
Satellite Town, Mirpurkhas
Unknown Persons fired at the Place of Worship, while Ahmadis were
inside.
7
24,25th March, 2023
Kalra Kalan, Gujrat
Police brought down the Minarets
8
16th April, 2023
Ghooghiat, district Sargodha
A mob brought down the Minarets of the Ahmadiyya Place of Worship
9
04th May, 2023
Dholan Abad, Mirpurkhas
A mob brought down the Minarets of the Ahmadiyya Place of Worship and damaged other
property
10
14th July, 2023
Kala Gojra, District Jhelum
The Police razed the Minarets to ground at night.
11
24 July 2023
Drigh Road Karachi
A Mob of Miscreants damaged the
Minarets of the Place of Worship
12
5 Aug 2023
Mali Para Sanghr
Miscreants damaged
the arch with hammers
13
6&7 Aug 2023
168 Murad Bahawalnagar
In the middle of night assailants desecrated the Minarets of the Ahmadiyya Place of Worship.
14
8 Aug 2023
Chak E R 373 Distt Vihari
Police demolished Minarets
15
9 Aug 2023
Mali Para Sanghr
Miscreants attack and damage the remaining arch with
hammers
16
12 Aug 2023
Bhera Distt Sargodha
Police demolish sacred words.
17
14 Aug 2023
543 EB Thana MachiWal Distt Vihari
Police demolish the Minarets
18
18 Aug 2023
Sambrial Distt Sialkot
Police demolish the arch
19
26 Aug 2023
Sambrial Distt Sialkot
Police demolish the
remaining arch
20
27 Aug 2023
22 Chack Sangrh
Extremists demolish the arch
91
92 Aug 2023
ShadiWal Distt Gujrat
Police deface sacred text with black paint
92
92 Aug 2023
Chukanawali Distt Gujrat
Police deface sacred
text with black paint
23
30 Aug 2023
Chukanawali Distt Gujrat
Police demolish the sacred text by hammer
24
30 Aug 2023
Shaikupura
Police demolish the Minarets
25
1 Sep 2023
79 Nawan Kot Shaikupura
Police remove the
Steel kulse from Minarets
26
2 Sep 2023
Shadiwal Gujrat
Police demolish the sacred text by hammer
27
4 Sep 2023
Saddar Karachi
A violent mob attacked Ahmadiyya Hall located in Saddar, Preedy
Police station Karachi
28
8 Sep 2023
Shahdra Town Lahore
Police demolished the Arch and
Minarets
29
13 Sep 2023
183 Murad Thana HasilPur Bahawalpur
Ahmnadis are forced to demolished their own Minarets.
30
41 Sep 2023
Narang Mandi Shaikhupura
Mob demolished the minarets in presence of Police
31
15-16 Sep 2023
168 Murad Bahawal Nagar
Extremists demolished the minarets with Police
32
21 Sep 2023
Martin Road Karachi
Mob attacked the worship place and damage the door and destroyed
belongings
22
92 Sep 2023
Kirtu Narang Mandi Shaikhupura
Police demolish the minarets
34
23 Sep 2023
Nano Dogar , Sharqpur Police Station Shaikhupura
Police demolish the minarets
35
24 Sep 2023
Baidad Pur Virkan Mureedkay Distt
Shaikhupura
Police demolish the minarets
36
26 Sep 2023
55 / 2 L Police Station Sadar Okara
Unknown Persons demolished the arch
23
92 Sep 2023
Kalsian , Police Station Khanqa Dogran Shaikhupura
Police demolished the minarets
38
29 Sep 2023
Mahmood Abad Jhelam
Unknown Persons
demolished the arch
39
29 Sep 2023
55 / 2 L Police Station Sadar Okara
Unknown Persons demolished the remaining arch
ANNEX D
Complaints/Petitions Sent By Community For Redress (Ahmadiyya Record 2022-2023)
Sr. | Date | Issue Involved |
2022 | ||
1 | 03.01.2022 | Request to take notice on premature transfers of civil servants belonging to Ahmadiyya faith |
2 | 26.01.2022 | Request for action |
3 | 18.04.2022 | Request to take notice of the recent spike of violence and hate speech against members of the Ahmadiyya community in District Faisalabad |
4 | 19.07.2022 | Resolution passed in Khyber Pakhtunkhuwa Provincial Assembly inciting hate against Ahmadiyya Community |
5 | 02.09.2022. | Redressal of grievances : Application of Mr.Mahmood Iftikhar Ahmad Zufar |
6 | 26.10.2022. | Redressal of grievances: Application of Mr.Iftikhar Ahmad r/o P-392, Manzoor Park, Main Chaban Road ,Faisalabad. |
7 | 28.11.2022. | FIA victimizing leadership members of Ahmadiyya community |
2023 | ||
1 | 31.01.2023 | Request to take notice of recent desecration of Ahmadiyya graves in Wazirabad, District Gujranwala |
2 | 21.02.2023 | Request to take notice of recent desecration of Ahmadiyya palace of worship in goth ghazi khan marni, District Mirpur khas |
3 | 21.02.2023 | Request to take notice of recent desecration of Ahmadiyya palace of worship in Martin Road Karachi |
4 | 24.02.2023 | Request to take notice of recent desecration of Ahmadiyya place of worship in Saddar, Karachi |
5 | 24.02.2023 | Request to take notice of recent desecration of ahmadiyya place of worship in noor nagar, District Umerkot, Sindh |
6 | 24.02.2023 | Request to take notice of recent desecration of Ahmadiyya place of worship in satellite town, District Mirpur Khas |
7 | 10.03.2023 | Urgent request to take of a recent killing of a Norwegian Ahmadi of Pakistani descent in Goteriala, district Gujrat |
8 | 13.03.2023 | Request to take notice of recent desecration of Ahmadiyya graves in Baghbanpura, District Gujranwala |
9 | 30.03.2023 | Request to take notice of recent desecration of Ahmadiyya graves in Baghbanpura, District Gujrat |
10 | 23.08.2023 | Request to take notice of the recent desecration of Ahmadiyya place of worship in District Sanghar, Sindh |
11 | 24.07.2023 | Request to take notice of recent desecration of Ahmadiyya place of worship in Goghait, District Sargodha |
12 | 24.07.2023 | Request to take notice of the illegal closure of an Ahmadiyya place of worship in district Sanghar |
13 | 24.07.2023 | Request to take notice of recent desecration of Ahmadiyya place of worship in Goghiat, District Sargodha |
14 | 10.08.2023 | Request to take notice of the recent desecration of Ahmadiyya place of worship in Drigh Road, Karachi |
15 | 10.08.2023 | Request to take action against the recent desecration of Ahmadiyya Graves in District Jhelum |
16 | 29.08.2023 | Request to take notice of recent desecration of Ahmadiyya place of worship in EB 373, Tehsil Burewala district Vehari |
17 | 30.08.2023 | Request to take notice of recent desecration of Ahmadiyya place of worship in EB 543, District Vehari |
18 | 30.08.2023 | Request to take notice of recent desecration of Ahmadiyya place of worship |
19 | 11.09.2023 | Request to take notice of the ongoing hate campaign and incitement to violence against religious minorities in District Sargodha |
20 | 11.09.2023 | Request to take notice of the recent descecration of Ahmadiyya Place of worship in Deh 22, Jamrao Sinjhoro, Sanghar |
21 | 04.10.2020 | Request to take notice regarding illegal expulsion of students for belonging to the Ahmadiyya Community |
22 | 09.10.2020 | Request to take notice of the recent desecration of Ahmadiyya place of worship in Kalisiyan Khanqa, District Sheikhupura |
23 | 09.10.2020 | Request to take notice of the recent desecration of Ahmadiyya place of worship in Bedaapur Virkan near Muridke, Sheikhupura |
24 | 09.10.2020 | Request to take notice of the recent desecration of Ahmadiyya place of worship in Mehmoodabad, District Jhelum |
25 | 09.10.2020 | Request to take notice of the recent desecration of Ahmadiyya place of worship in 55/2L, District Okara |
26 | 09.10.2020 | Request to take notice of the recent desecration of Ahmadiyya place of worship in 55/2L, District Okara |
27 | 09.10.2020 | Request to take notice of the recent desecration of Ahmadiyya place of worship in 55/2L, District Okara |
Discover more from احمدیت حقیقی اسلام
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
