441-00853 (Foreign affairs)

The Government of Canada is very concerned by the ongoing persecution of Pakistan’s religious minorities, including the Ahmadi Muslim community, Hindus, Sikhs, Christians and Shia Muslims. The promotion and protection of human rights, including freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression, remains a priority in Canada’s engagement with Pakistan. Religious intolerance and discrimination, no matter its form, are completely unacceptable.

Canada and other members of the international community have been following closely the persecution of the Ahmadi Muslim community in Pakistan with concern, including disenfranchisement in Pakistan’s electoral processes and access to the right to vote. Canada supports the free, fair, and inclusive participation of members of the Ahmadi Muslim community in the electoral process, including by removing Section 48A in Pakistan’s Election Act 2017.

Canada consistently calls on Pakistan to respect, protect and promote freedom of religion or belief for all, and will continue to advocate for these values to be upheld. Canada has made its views on human rights and freedom of religion or belief known directly to Pakistani government officials at the federal and provincial level, as well as with the Pakistani High Commission in Ottawa as recently as December 2022.

Canada continues to engage first hand with the Ahmadi Muslim community and works to support civil society actors, human rights defenders, and local advocates. For example, in October 2022 the Canadian High Commission in Pakistan supported the Asma Jahangir Human Rights Conference in Lahore through the High Commission’s Post Initiative Fund (PIF). This Conference included Ahmadi human rights activists among the panelists, providing an opportunity for them to share their perspectives and to discuss the issues directly with government officials. The Canadian High Commission also closely monitors specific cases of human rights violations and has engaged with government and civil society stakeholders to support victims, including by facilitating their access to legal advice and assistance.

Canada further supports the protection and promotion of human rights in Pakistan, including freedom of religion or belief, by funding grassroots initiatives. For example, through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), Canada’s High Commission in Pakistan is providing funding to the Digital Rights Foundation, which is supporting minority groups, including Ahmadi Muslims, on how to safely engage in advocacy efforts online and is helping them to better understand their related rights in Pakistan.

Canada also works with international partners to protect and promote freedom of religion or belief, including through the International Contact Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief (ICG-FoRB), which Canada established in 2015 to encourage and deepen multilateral coordination on this critical issue. Canada uses its position of leadership at the ICG-FoRB to advocate on behalf of persecuted faith and belief communities internationally, including the Ahmadi Muslim Community in Pakistan. Canada is strongly opposed to religious hatred, discrimination and xenophobia, and works toward fostering greater mutual respect and understanding through interfaith and intercultural dialogues.

Please rest assured that the Government of Canada will remain steadfast in its engagement on this issue, as well as other human rights concerns.