News Desk
PR Brussels, July 14, 2026:
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), legal experts, and human rights advocates convened in Brussels on Tuesday to discuss the situation of minority girls in Pakistan who are subjected to abduction, forced religious conversion, and child marriage, urging stronger protection measures and greater accountability, said the press release
The event followed the European Parliament’s recent resolution on the case of Maria Shahbaz and the protection of minor girls in Pakistan. The resolution called on the European Union and its member to consistently raise concerns regarding forced conversions, child marriages, and the protection of religious minorities, journalists, civil society members, and human rights defenders during bilateral engagements with Pakistan, said the presser
Opening the event, Mirjam Bos of Jubilee Campaign Netherlands thanked MEPs Bert-Jan Ruissen and Matej Tonin for hosting the discussion and stressed the importance of strengthening protection for vulnerable women and girls.
Addressing participants, MEP Matej Tonin said minority communities should not be neglected and urged authorities to safeguard the rights of its most vulnerable citizens. MEP Bert-Jan Ruissen, who played a leading role in advancing the European Parliament resolution, called for coordinated efforts to ensure the protection of Maria Shahbaz and other girls facing similar circumstances.
Legal expert Sulema Jahangir outlined recommendations aimed at improving legal protection for minority girls. She argued that Pakistan’s statutory rape laws should be applied in cases involving child marriages below the age of 16 and expressed concern over what she described as inconsistent judicial application of existing laws. Jahangir also alleged that some court decisions relied on interpretations permitting child marriage after puberty, despite national legal protections, and said forced religious conversions often further complicate efforts by families to seek justice.
Joseph Jansen, Advocacy Officer at Jubilee Campaign Netherlands, highlighted what he described as discriminatory implementation of laws affecting Christian minority girls.Welcoming the European Parliament’s resolution, he said it reflected growing concerns to the issue and encouraged continued efforts to protect vulnerable children and prosecute perpetrators.
During the event, Jubilee Campaign Netherlands and Voice for Justice launched a report titled Stolen Girls: Exposing the Hidden Suffering of Christian Minor Girls in Pakistan, documenting 210 reported cases of abduction, forced conversion, child marriage, and sexual violence involving Christian girls between 2019 and 2026.
According to the report, Punjab accounted for nearly 89 percent of the documented cases, while 83 percent of the victims were reportedly under the age of 18. The report further alleged that Christian names were changed in 96 percent of documented cases following conversion and that ages were falsified on marriage certificates in 92 percent of cases.
Jansen also raised concerns regarding legal proceedings involving abducted girls, stating that many victims provide testimony while remaining in the custody or influence of their alleged abductors. He argued that courts frequently rely on such statements alongside disputed documentation when determining custody.
The event also featured a video presentation of testimonies from affected families, who appealed for support in securing the return of their daughters. Author Anna Townsend, whose book Our Sisters: The Fight for Justice for Christian Women Forced into Marriage in Pakistan examines similar cases, describing the experiences shared by survivors and their families.
Professor Dr. Shobeen addressed the gathering by highlighting the relationship between trade status and its international human rights commitments. He said the preferential trade arrangement provides the European Union with an opportunity to encourage stronger protection of religious minorities and greater compliance with international human rights obligations.
MEP Paolo Borchia attended the concluding session and expressed support for continued cooperation on issues relating to religious freedom and the protection of persecuted Christian communities.
Hulda Fahmi of Jubilee Campaign Netherlands called for effective implementation of the 27 international conventions, arguing that serious human rights violations should carry consequences under the revised framework.
ADF International Legal Officer Carmen Correas reviewed the Maria Shahbaz case and urged the European Union to encourage judicial training in Pakistan to ensure domestic laws are interpreted consistently with the country’s international legal obligations.
Legal experts participating in the discussion also recommended greater use of Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to verify the ages of prospective brides in order to prevent the falsification of identity and marriage documents.