News Desk
Geneva, March 11, 2025
A side event at the 58th Regular Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council has brought renewed attention to the persecution of religious minorities worldwide, with a focus on Pakistan, Eritrea, Nicaragua, and Sudan. Human rights advocates, legal experts, and survivors called for urgent international intervention to address systematic torture and religious discrimination.
The event, hosted by Jubilee Campaign US and co-hosted by Set My People Free and the European Centre for Law and Justice, highlighted concerns over state-backed persecution and the need for stronger protections for vulnerable communities, said the presser
Nazila Ghanea, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, opened the discussion by emphasizing that religious freedom and the prohibition of torture are fundamental rights. She referenced the recent UN report (A/HRC/58/49) on religious persecution, stressing the need for accountability beyond diplomatic condemnations.
Charlie Weimers, a Member of the European Parliament, pointed to blasphemy laws, describing them as tools of oppression against religious minorities. He referenced the Jaranwala riots, during which 26 churches were burned, as evidence of ongoing violence against Christians. Calling for tougher measures, he urged the European Union to condition trade, aid, and visas on meaningful human rights reforms and advocated for sanctions against those responsible for violations. He also warned of rising religious persecution in Europe, citing increasing attacks on churches and religious communities.
Joseph Janssen, a minority rights activist, detailed the severe impact of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, noting cases of Christians, Hindus, and other minorities facing long-term imprisonment, torture, and extrajudicial killings. He cited the cases of Nadeem Masih, who has been in solitary confinement for eight years over a WhatsApp message, and Anwar Kenneth, who has spent 23 years in prison due to a blasphemy accusation despite being deemed mentally unfit. He also highlighted the case of Shagufta Kiran, a mother of four imprisoned for a social media post. Despite over 300 arrests following the Jaranwala riots, nearly all suspects were released on bail, raising concerns about accountability.
Shahid Mobeen, President of the Italian Roundtable on Religious Freedom, pointed to a broader global crisis, noting that over 300 million Christians face persecution worldwide. He detailed violations in Eritrea, where underground prisons hold thousands of Christians; Nicaragua, where the government has targeted Catholic clergy; and Sudan, where Christian communities face attacks amid ongoing civil conflict. He also referenced the assassinations of Pakistani politicians Shahbaz Bhatti and Salman Taseer as stark reminders of the dangers faced by those who advocate for religious freedom.
Speakers at the event criticized the European Union for what they described as inadequate action on religious persecution. While the European Parliament had previously called on Pakistan to amend its blasphemy laws and sought sanctions against officials in Eritrea and Nicaragua, little progress has been made. Weimers urged stronger measures, arguing that international bodies must take concrete steps, including targeted sanctions and stricter conditions on aid.
The discussion also addressed concerns about the spread of religious persecution within Europe itself. Weimers cited statistics indicating a rise in attacks on churches and religious communities in France, Germany, Sweden, and the UK. He warned that failing to confront these issues at home while condemning them abroad undermines efforts to promote religious freedom globally.
The event concluded with calls for increased UN monitoring in high-risk countries, legal protections for religious minorities, and independent investigations into religious persecution. Participants urged international organizations to take decisive action to hold perpetrators accountable and push for the repeal of oppressive laws, said the press release