Religious persecution continues to plague many corners of the globe, and Pakistan remains one of the most troubling examples. Congressman Clay Higgins has made a passionate plea to President Joe Biden, urging decisive U.S. action to address the systematic targeting of Christians in Pakistan.
His letter highlights not only the plight of individuals like Shagufta Kiran but also the broader implications for human rights and U.S. foreign policy.
Shagufta Kiran, a Pakistani Christian, has become a symbol of the religious persecution faced by minorities in Pakistan. She has been imprisoned under blasphemy laws that critics argue are often used to suppress dissent and target vulnerable communities.
Convicted for comments allegedly disrespectful to Islam, she faces the death penalty—an inhumane and disproportionate punishment.
Congressman Higgins underscores that Kiran’s only hope for release and a reunion with her family lies in significant international pressure, especially from the United States and its allies.
Pakistan’s record on religious freedom remains dismal, with its blasphemy laws frequently exploited to oppress minorities. Christians, Hindus, and other religious groups often endure societal discrimination, violence, and legal persecution. While these issues are well-documented, Higgins’s letter reminds the Biden administration of its unique ability to influence global human rights through diplomacy and aid.
The United States has provided Pakistan with over $1.2 billion in foreign assistance over the past five years. This financial support, according to Higgins, has been extended to a government that disregards fundamental human rights. He proposes a shift in U.S. foreign aid policy, emphasizing accountability and advocating for the prohibition of aid to nations complicit in human rights abuses.
Higgins’s call to action is clear: the Biden administration must leverage every diplomatic tool available to combat religious persecution in Pakistan. This includes advocating for the release of Shagufta Kiran and other prisoners of conscience, while sending a strong message that U.S. foreign assistance cannot support regimes that fail to uphold religious freedom and human dignity.
The letter concludes with a reminder that countless lives depend on America’s willingness to act. By addressing the abuses faced by religious minorities in Pakistan, the U.S. has an opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to liberty and justice, inspiring hope for those suffering under oppressive regimes.
Higgins’s appeal is a timely reminder of the power—and responsibility—of American leadership in the fight for global human rights.
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