ICC Note:

Christian activists organized an event alongside the UN’s Human Right’s Commission’s 34^th Session in Geneva. The intent is to force the international community to pressure Pakistan into altering its systematic discrimination of Christians and other religious minorities. Activists presented documentaries, stories, and evidence of state and non-state persecution of Christians ranging from social discrimination to the blasphemy law. Many activists believe the only solution for improving conditions for Christians is through international pressure.

3/16/2017 Pakistan (PR Newswire) – An event titled “Christians in Pakistan under Threat” was organized on March 14, on the sidelines of the 34th UNHRC session in Geneva. Representatives from the Christian community in Pakistan including Naveed Walter, Human Rights Defender and founder of Human Rights Focus Pakistan, Rev James Luke, retired Captain of the Pakistani Army and Javed Baksh, a retired Major of the Pakistani Army and former Vice President of the Canadian Christian Association, spoke at the conference. Przemyslaw Czarnecki, member of the Polish Parliament was a special invitee at the event, which was moderated by Mario Silva, Executive Director, and International Forum for Rights and Security (IFFRAS).

Speaking on the occasion, James Luke expressed grave concern about the systematic oppression of Christians in Pakistan. He recounted numerous instances over the last few years when Christians were targeted and killed by Sunni extremist forces and no action was taken by the Pakistani government to protect the Christian community. He also stated that the blasphemy law was being used as a tool to persecute the religious community.

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