Three UN Special Rapporteurs join UN Human Rights Council side-event to remind Pakistan of its international human rights and domestic law obligations to protect its children against slavery and sexual violence, and uphold human rights.

“We don’t know where they are keeping her […] We have terrible thoughts about what is happening to her,” the mother of Maria Shahbaz pleads in the video playing in the Human Rights Council side-event room Concordia 1; “Help us bring our daughters back,” is the appeal that echoes from the families of girls abducted and forcibly converted by their Muslim neighbours.

Professor Nicolas Levrat, UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues provides the keynote statement. His position is clear, the impunity surrounding forced religious conversions will, “not be solved by new laws or legislation.” He notes that Pakistan has ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child and that the rights of children are explicitly stated there; the practice of forced religious conversion and child marriage violate Pakistan’s international and domestic law commitments. Prof. Levrat, UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues expresses opposition to legislation banning forced religious conversion noting during the event noting that – internationally – such legislation is always applied discriminatorily by the majority religion against minority religions. Prof. Levrat instead appeals to the Pakistani authorities to ensure better access to justice for minorities, noting the opening testimonies of the families where the father of Maria Shahbaz described how the family went from court to court and “nothing happened.” Professor Levrat calls for training and technical cooperation of law enforcement and legal authorities. He does not disregard legal appeals, but emphasises that there are several hurdles to protecting the rights of the child that need to be tackled in tandem – the law but also education to counter the societal pressure against minorities. “This has to be worked on,” he says, noting there is a widespread bias in favour of the dominant group, “the authorities need to seriously........

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