UPR Side Event: The Denial of Religious Freedom in Pakistan

DATE and TIME: Monday 13 November 2017: 12.30pm-2.00pm

VENUE: Room XXIII, Palais de Nations, United Nations, Geneva

The side event will reflect on the challenges facing religious communnities in Pakistan. The country’s draconian anti-Ahmadi laws and Blasphemy laws have been used by the state to persecute religious communities for more than 40 years. Thousands have been charged under these laws, with many hundreds murdered and many more are languishing in prison. The laws have fed the rise of extremism in Pakistan and also deny Ahmadi Muslims their fundamental democratic right to vote.

The international panel of experts will discuss these issues and highlight what steps can be taken by Pakistan, civil society and international actors to ensure Pakistan effectively implements the UPR recommendations and its wider human rights obligations. We invite you to join this timely discussion and we look forward to your participation. 

Presentations to be followed by Q&A

SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

• Sir Iftikhar Ayaz, Chairman International Human Rights Committe
• Dr Aaron Rhodes, President of the Forum for Religious Freedom Europe
• Mahmood Ahmad, General Secretary Ahmadiyya Muslim Lawyers Association USA
• Baseer Naveed, Asian Human Rights Commission
• Dr Ahmed Shaheed, UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Religion and Belief (Keynote Message)

Moderator:
Thierry Valle, President CAP Liberté de Conscience.

The event is supported by:

• The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for International Freedom of Religion or Belief
•  Christian Solidarity Worldwide
• The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK
• Forum for Religious Freedom Europe

Organizers:

• CAP Liberté de Conscience
• The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK

For further information contact:
SideEvent@PakistanUPR.com