UN human rights experts have called on Pakistan to end violence and discrimination against the Ahmadiyya community, citing ongoing reports of harassment, attacks, and legal persecution. In a statement from Geneva, the experts expressed grave concern over the persistent reports of discrimination and violence targeting the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan. They urged Islamabad to break the 'pattern of impunity' that allows perpetrators to act without restraint. The experts called on Pakistani authorities to ensure the protection of the community and uphold the country's international human rights obligations.

The experts noted with concern reports of ongoing attacks on Ahmadi places of worship, desecration of graves, interference with peaceful religious observance, including during Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha, arrests and prosecutions related to religious practices or identity, and hate speech. These reports underscore the need for effective measures to prevent violence, ensure accountability, and protect vulnerable communities. They emphasized that every individual has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief, and that no one should be subjected to discrimination, intimidation, or violence.

The experts said that no individual should face arrest, detention, surveillance, or criminal prosecution simply for observing their religious festivals and practices. They called on the Government of Pakistan to ensure that all individuals, regardless of their religion or belief, enjoy equal protection under the law without discrimination. The experts also urged the government to review legislation and administrative measures that may be inconsistent with its obligations under international human rights law, including the rights to freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression, freedom of association and assembly, cultural rights, and equality before the law.

The experts stated that combating religious intolerance requires more than responding to individual incidents. It requires sustained efforts to foster respect for diversity, counter incitement to hatred and violence, and create an environment in which all religious or belief communities can live in safety and dignity. The experts reaffirmed their readiness to engage in constructive dialogue with authorities and other stakeholders in support of measures that promote inclusion, tolerance, dialogue, and strengthen the protection of freedom of religion or belief and the rights of all religious minorities in the country.

The experts include Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions Morris Tidball-Binz, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief Nazila Ghanea, Special Rapporteur on minority issues Nicolas Levrat, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression Leopoldo Maldonado Gutiérrez, and Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association Gina Romero.