Brussels, January 23, 2025 — Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) Bert-Jan Ruissen and Miriam Lexmann have called upon the European Union's human rights envoy, Mr. Olov Skoog, to address the escalating persecution of Christians during his upcoming visit to Pakistan. As co-chairs of the European Parliament's Intergroup on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Ruissen and Lexmann emphasize the urgent need for EU intervention to safeguard religious minorities in the region.
Highlighting the dire situation, MEP Ruissen referenced the case of Shagufta Kiran, a 40-year-old Christian mother of four, who was sentenced to death under Pakistan's blasphemy laws. Kiran was arrested in July 2021 for allegedly forwarding a WhatsApp message containing blasphemous content. After a protracted three-year trial, she was convicted on September 18, 2024, under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code, which mandates the death penalty for insulting the Prophet Muhammad. In addition to the death sentence, she received a seven-year prison term under Section 11 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and a fine of 100,000 Pakistani Rupees.
Pakistan, a predominantly Muslim nation, ranks high on Open Doors' 2024 World Watch List for Christian persecution. The country's blasphemy laws are frequently exploited to target religious minorities, often leading to mob violence and extrajudicial killings. Ruissen stated, "The situation of Christians in the country is quite troublesome. It is imperative that the EU envoy press for her, and others, to be released."
The European Union allocates approximately 100 million euros annually in development aid to Pakistan, alongside contributions from individual member states. Despite this substantial support, EU-funded educational materials in Pakistan have been found to encourage discrimination against Christians and other minorities. Ruissen and Lexmann have urged a thorough review of these materials to ensure they promote inclusivity and tolerance.
A particularly harrowing issue is the abduction and forced conversion of Christian and Hindu girls in Pakistan. Many young girls are kidnapped, coerced into converting to Islam, and married off to older men. Pakistani authorities seldom take action against these violations, leaving families devastated and communities living in fear. Ruissen emphasized, "The EU must not turn a blind eye on this."
As Mr. Olov Skoog prepares for his visit to Pakistan, MEPs Ruissen and Lexmann stress the importance of leveraging diplomatic channels to advocate for the rights and safety of religious minorities. They assert that the European Union has both the influence and the responsibility to press for meaningful reforms in Pakistan's human rights practices, ensuring that aid and support are contingent upon tangible improvements in the treatment of all citizens, regardless of their faith.