Published 15:17 IST, September 22nd 2019
Geneva: Pakistani Christians protest forced conversions, blasphemy law
A large group of Pakistani Christians in Europe, staged a protest rally in Geneva against the inequality and maltreatment towards the minorities in Pakistan
- World News
- 2 min read
People from the Pakistani Christian community in Europe staged a protest rally in Geneva against the inequality and maltreatment towards the minorities in Pakistan. The community raised their voices against the brutal blasphemy law in Pakistan, the incidences of forced conversions of Christian and Hindu girls, and the poor education system of the country.
The protests that come in the wake of 74th UNGA summit was addressed by the member of the European Parliament, raising concerns for the same.
Protests against Pakistan
Protest banners held by the people of the community demanded to put an end to human rights violation against the minorities in Pakistan and abolish the blasphemy law in Pakistan. The march began from Palais Wilson, the headquarters of the Office of the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights, until the Broken Chair in front of UN office in Geneva. The protesters were also accompanied by Members of European Parliament and other human rights advocates.
According to reports, Robinson Asghar, a Christian leader raised his concerns towards the Christian girls forced into Chinese prostitution. Reportedly, he stated that people from China come to Pakistan, offer money to Christian families and then those girls are taken away, and later forced into prostitution.
European Parliamentarians react
Members of European Parliament reacted to the protest saying that reduction in the number of Christians Pakistan spoke for itself. In the past few years, some 15% of Pakistani citizens from religious minorities which include Christians, Shiite, and Hindus are down to 3%. They are leaving the country because they are discriminated against, he said. They are persecuted sometimes injured and killed. He added that the situation was deteriorating every year.
Angel Christian, one of the protesters said that they are focusing on the education of Christian girls. If they are educated then they must be aware of their rights. The girls are underprivileged and have no access to facilities like books and also want boys to avail education.
(With inputs from ANI)
Updated 20:42 IST, September 22nd 2019