China, Pak face flak for treatment to minorities

United Nations, Aug. 23: China and Pakistan were targeted for their persecution of religious minorities, with western powers such the US and UK calling out both nations at a UN Security Council meeting on Thursday for the oppression faced by Christians, Ahmadis, Uighurs and other ethnic minorities.

The Arria-Formula Meeting of the Security Council on ‘Advancing the Safety and Security of Persons Belonging to Religious Minorities in Armed Conflict’ was organised by Poland, the Council President for August, to mark the first International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief.

Addressing the meeting, US Ambassador at Large for International Religio-us Freedom Samuel Brownback said religious freedom is essential for achieving peace and stability within nations and among nations. He then called out Pakistan for the persecution religious minorities in the country.

“In Pakistan, religious minorities continue to suffer from persecution, either at the hands of non-state actors or through discriminatory laws and practices, Brownback said.

Brownback voiced appreciation for Poland for inviting President of Human Rights Focus Pakistan, Naveed Walter who spoke about the challenges to religious freedom in Pakistan. Brownback described Walter as a courageous advocate for the persecuted, whether Christian, Ahmadi, Hin-du, or others.

In his remarks, Walter said “large groups of people are marginalised in their own societies and the biased behaviour develops in other areas also “like the minorities on basis of religious affiliation as like in Pakistan, the Ahmadiyyas having the situation.

Like China, growing number of countries use national security as a pretext of restricting religious expression and the role of religion in public domain,” he said.