The Worsening Human Rights Culture in Pakistan: International Reports and Concerns

By Junaid Qaiser

Pakistan faces significant challenges when it comes to safeguarding fundamental human rights. Over the years, the country has witnessed increasing violations of civil liberties, political freedoms, and social rights, which have been well-documented by international organizations like Human Rights Watch (HRW), Amnesty International, and the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). These violations span issues like freedom of expression, minority rights, gender-based violence, police brutality, and the misuse of blasphemy laws.

Freedom of Expression and Press Freedom

One of the most concerning aspects of human rights deterioration in Pakistan is the shrinking space for freedom of expression. International organizations have raised alarms over media censorship, attacks on journalists, and state surveillance. According to Reporters Without Borders, Pakistan ranks low on the World Press Freedom Index due to the government and military’s crackdown on independent journalism.

Journalists, activists, and critics of the government are frequently subjected to harassment, arbitrary arrests, and intimidation. For instance, in 2020, Amnesty International raised concerns over the disappearances of activists and journalists who criticized state policies or military actions. The organization highlighted that Pakistan’s media landscape has grown increasingly hostile, with media outlets pressured into self-censorship under threat of shutdown or fines.

Blasphemy Laws and Religious Persecution

Pakistan’s blasphemy laws continue to be a major source of human rights violations, disproportionately affecting religious minorities and dissidents. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have repeatedly emphasized how these laws are often used to settle personal scores or suppress religious minorities, especially Christians, Hindus, and Ahmadis. Accusations of blasphemy often lead to mob violence, with individuals being lynched or attacked without due process.

The case of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death on blasphemy charges, drew international condemnation. While she was ultimately acquitted in 2018, many individuals accused of blasphemy face years in prison, violence from extremist groups, or the death penalty. The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) continues to label Pakistan as a “Country of Particular Concern” due to its harsh religious discrimination and persecution.

Persecution of Minorities

Minority groups in Pakistan, including Christians, Hindus, Ahmadis, and Shia Muslims, face systemic discrimination and persecution. According to reports from Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, forced conversions, kidnappings, and targeted killings are frequent among religious minorities. Ahmadis, in particular, face institutionalized discrimination due to their exclusion from identifying as Muslims in the constitution. Human Rights Watch reported on violent attacks against Ahmadi places of worship and the community’s exclusion from political participation.

Hindus in Sindh Province often report incidents of forced conversions and abductions of young girls, who are forcibly married to Muslim men. These cases rarely receive legal justice, as courts often side with the perpetrators, citing “voluntary conversion” as the justification.

Gender-Based Violence

Violence against women and gender minorities in Pakistan remains rampant. International organizations have consistently highlighted the lack of legal protections for women, particularly in cases of domestic violence, honor killings, acid attacks, and forced marriages. The Global Gender Gap Report, published by the World Economic Forum, ranks Pakistan near the bottom of global gender equality indices, underscoring the harsh realities women face in the country.

Honor killings remain a significant issue, with hundreds of women killed each year by family members in the name of restoring family honor. While the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act of 2016 sought to address this issue by eliminating loopholes that allowed families to forgive the perpetrator, enforcement of these laws remains weak.

The situation for transgender individuals is similarly concerning, despite the passage of the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2018. Discrimination, violence, and social exclusion continue to plague the transgender community, with transgender persons facing unemployment, denial of healthcare, and violent attacks.

Police Brutality and Extrajudicial Killings

Reports of police brutality, torture, and extrajudicial killings by security forces have been raised by multiple international organizations. Human Rights Watch has highlighted how law enforcement in Pakistan is often involved in illegal detentions, torture, and disappearances, particularly in regions like Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The Enforced Disappearances Commission of Pakistan has reported thousands of cases of individuals being forcibly disappeared, many of whom are suspected of opposing government policies or being connected to terrorist organizations. However, human rights groups argue that the commission is ineffective and that many disappearances are orchestrated by intelligence agencies with no accountability.

Judicial Failures and Impunity

Pakistan’s judicial system has been criticized for its inefficiency and susceptibility to political influence. Court delays, inadequate access to legal representation, and corruption further erode the protection of human rights in the country. International organizations have raised concerns about the failure to provide justice to victims of violence, extrajudicial killings, or forced disappearances.

The military’s influence over civilian matters, particularly through military courts, has also been flagged by human rights organizations. Trials in military courts often lack transparency and due process, leading to convictions that are seen as unfair by both domestic and international observers.

Reports by International Organizations

• Human Rights Watch: In its World Report 2023, HRW condemned Pakistan’s growing crackdown on dissent, highlighting the state’s excessive use of blasphemy laws and impunity for human rights violations. HRW also detailed the plight of religious minorities, women, and political activists facing state repression.
• Amnesty International: Amnesty has consistently called on Pakistan to reform its blasphemy laws and improve protections for religious minorities and women. Their 2022/2023 report documented severe restrictions on freedom of expression, police abuses, and state failures to protect vulnerable communities.
• USCIRF (United States Commission on International Religious Freedom): The USCIRF has designated Pakistan a “Country of Particular Concern” for several consecutive years due to its violations of religious freedom, particularly citing the persecution of Ahmadis, Hindus, and Christians.
• United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC): The UNHRC has expressed concerns about Pakistan’s blasphemy laws and its failure to protect minorities. In various sessions, the UNHRC has urged Pakistan to adhere to its human rights obligations under international law and to protect freedom of religion, expression, and gender equality.

Conclusion

The worsening human rights situation in Pakistan, as documented by international organizations, reflects systemic discrimination, persecution, and oppression. While some legal reforms have been introduced, the lack of enforcement and the culture of impunity continue to undermine the rule of law. The international community has repeatedly called for Pakistan to address these issues, but progress remains slow, leaving millions vulnerable to violations of their basic human rights.