A genocide watchdog has raised an alert for monitoring genocide in Pakistan due to escalating human rights violations. Genocide Watch highlighted that Pakistan has reached stage 3 of genocide, marked by discrimination against women and minorities. The organization emphasized the deep-rooted discrimination and violence against vulnerable groups, positioning Pakistan at various stages of potential genocide, including discrimination, organization, and persecution.
Turkish journalist Uzay Bulut, reporting for PJ Media, explained that the discrimination primarily targets religious minorities, political opposition, women, and the LGBTQ+ community. Women, in particular, face severe challenges such as acid attacks, forced marriages, rape, trafficking, and domestic abuse. Notably, Pakistan has faced criticism for legal rulings like validating marriages after puberty under Islamic law, contributing to widespread child marriages in the country.
Furthermore, Pakistan’s dismal ranking in the Global Gender Gap Index by the World Economic Forum underscores the gender disparities prevalent in the nation. The Genocide Watch report also highlighted the suppression faced by journalists, activists, and academics through censorship, violence, threats, arrests, and even murder, perpetuated by the Pakistani government, leading to restricted public discourse and self-censorship.
The report emphasized the plight of non-Muslims in Pakistan, particularly Christians, who are a minority facing marginalization and various challenges, including discrimination and threats of violence. The Genocide Watch recommended that the European Union utilize GSP+ review mechanisms to push for reforms in religious freedom, freedom of expression, and women’s rights in Pakistan. Additionally, it suggested that the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights designate Pakistan as a country of special concern due to its alarming human rights abuses against ethnic and religious minorities.
