Unjust detention of 22 Ahmadi Muslims: Children and a person with disability among the victims
The International Human Rights Committee (IHRC) is urgently appealing to Pakistani authorities and members of the international community to intervene as Ahmadi citizens face unprecedented threats to their religious freedom and right to life itself.
A seemingly coordinated series of expulsions from mosques and arrest warrants for Ahmadis on 28 February has resulted in Ahmadi citizens afraid not only to worship but also displaced from their homes for fear of violence.
Children and a Disabled Individual Trapped in Detention
Among the detainees is a 14-year-old child who is being robbed of his future. He was set to appear for his final examinations on 25th March 2025, a critical milestone in his education, but due to this unjust imprisonment, he will now miss them entirely. The state is fully aware of this yet continues to hold him in custody, effectively destroying a year of his academic progress and putting his entire future at risk. This is not just an injustice—it is a deliberate act of cruelty against an innocent child. See video1
Two other minors, aged 16 and 17, also remain behind bars, their young lives disrupted by an oppressive system that seeks to punish them for their faith. Additionally, among the detainees is a person with an intellectual disability, making this case even more appalling. The targeting of children and the most vulnerable member of society is a blatant human rights violation that must not be ignored.
1Link to social media: https://x.com/faith_defence/status/1902024999482831208?s=46&t=qJrK62IRsj8eXEilMTXPBA
Ongoing Persecution & Bail Denial
Sialkot, Pakistan – The IHRC strongly condemns the continued unlawful imprisonment of 22 Ahmadi Muslims for peacefully observing Friday prayers. An Additional Sessions Judge, Mr. Rehmat Ali, has denied bail for the second time, prolonging their unjust detention. Among them are minors and a person with an intellectual disability, highlighting the grave violation of human rights. The accused now face an indefinite wait for their appeal in the High Court.
Urgent Call to Action
The IHRC urges:
- The UN, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch to condemn and pressure Pakistan for their release.
- World governments to hold Pakistan accountable for its human rights violations.
- Legal and humanitarian aid organizations to intervene and protect the detainees’ rights.
The international community, including the European Union, USA and UK, must act. Immediate global action is needed. Silence enables oppression—Pakistan must be held accountable.
Appendix 1
