Ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa from 21-26 October 2024, a growing chorus of voices has united to address a critical issue—the escalating human rights abuses in Pakistan.
In particular, attention is being drawn to the country’s notorious blasphemy laws, which have led to the wrongful arrest, imprisonment, and tragic deaths of countless individuals. The victims of these laws include members of religious minorities such as Christians and Ahmadis, as well as individuals accused without credible evidence or trial.
Blasphemy laws have long been a controversial topic in Pakistan. Despite the country’s efforts to establish itself as a democratic nation, these laws have created an environment where individuals are not only vulnerable to wrongful accusations but also face the threat of vigilante justice.
This reality not only tarnishes Pakistan’s global image but also violates the very principles on which the Commonwealth is founded.
The Blasphemy Laws and Their Deadly Consequences
Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, while officially not resulting in any state-sanctioned executions, have inadvertently created a culture of lawlessness and mob violence. Accusations of blasphemy, often based on flimsy or non-existent evidence, have led to horrific extrajudicial killings.
Religious minorities, students, politicians, and even those suffering from mental health issues are regularly targeted, with many losing their lives in brutal and public acts of violence. These include lynchings, immolation, shootings in courtrooms, and brutal hackings.
Local media and independent researchers have recorded at least 85 such killings since 1990, with most of these crimes occurring in full public view, often with law enforcement turning a blind eye.
The impunity enjoyed by the perpetrators of these heinous acts underscores the systemic nature of the persecution faced by Pakistan’s religious minorities. It also highlights the Pakistani government’s failure to uphold the rule of law and protect its citizens.
The Commonwealth Charter explicitly refers to the importance of human rights and the rule of law, stating that the organisation must address “unprecedented threats to peace and security, and a surge in popular demands for democracy, human rights, and broadened economic opportunities.”
The Pakistani government’s continued enforcement of the blasphemy laws and its passive acceptance of vigilante violence run counter to these values.
International Condemnation and Pakistan’s Inaction
Despite repeated calls from the international community for reform, Pakistan has yet to take meaningful action to repeal or amend its blasphemy laws. The laws are frequently abused, often weaponised against religious minorities and political adversaries, creating an environment where fear and suspicion reign. Even worse, those accused of blasphemy are seldom afforded fair trials, as mobs often take matters into their own hands, exacting punishment with no legal process.
The lack of accountability for such crimes is glaring. Law enforcement authorities often turn a blind eye or act as passive observers during these mob attacks.
Perpetrators are rarely, if ever, brought to justice, reinforcing the dangerous message that such violence is permissible. This cycle of impunity not only fuels further atrocities but also emboldens those who seek to exploit the blasphemy laws for personal or political gain.
Pakistan’s Relationship with the Commonwealth
Pakistan has a fraught history with the Commonwealth, having been suspended twice before—in 1999 and 2007—over issues related to democratic governance and the protection of human rights. On both occasions, the Commonwealth took decisive action to signal that violations of its core values would not be tolerated. Today, as Pakistan continues to flout the principles of human rights and democracy, there is a growing call for similar action.
The Commonwealth, with its commitment to upholding democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, cannot remain silent while one of its member states systematically violates these principles. The failure to address the institutionalized persecution enabled by Pakistan’s blasphemy laws would not only undermine the credibility of the Commonwealth but also send a message that these violations are acceptable within its ranks.
A Call for Action: Suspension from the Commonwealth
In light of Pakistan’s continued disregard for Commonwealth values, 17 human rights NGOs from the EU and beyond have called for the country to be suspended once again from the organisation.
This suspension would serve as a strong rebuke of Pakistan’s human rights record and put pressure on the government to make meaningful reforms. The Commonwealth must stand firm in its commitment to democracy and human rights by taking decisive action against member states that fail to uphold these principles.
Suspending Pakistan from the Commonwealth would send a powerful message—that the international community will not tolerate egregious violations of human rights. It would also offer hope to the many individuals in Pakistan who live in constant fear of persecution, simply because of their religious beliefs or because they have been falsely accused of blasphemy.
As the Commonwealth Heads of Government prepare to meet in Samoa, the eyes of the world are on the organisation’s ability to uphold its values.
The situation in Pakistan presents a critical test of the Commonwealth’s commitment to human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. By suspending Pakistan from the Commonwealth, the organisation would reaffirm its role as a global champion of these principles and stand in solidarity with those who are suffering under the country’s repressive blasphemy laws.
Pakistan’s blasphemy laws are not just a legal issue; they are a human rights crisis. As long as these laws remain in place, and as long as the government fails to protect its citizens from vigilante violence, the Commonwealth must be prepared to take a stand.
Suspension is a necessary step, not only to hold Pakistan accountable but to remind the world that human rights abuses have no place in the Commonwealth of Nations.
