Protect the Legal Rights of Christians in Pakistan

To the Government of Pakistan, We, the undersigned, call on you to take immediate and concrete action to protect the legal rights of Christian citizens across Pakistan. Christians make up a significant minority in Pakistan. They are teachers, doctors, laborers, and neighbors. They contribute to the nation's economy and social fabric every day. Yet they continue to face serious legal vulnerabilities that undermine their dignity, safety, and freedom. The facts are clear: Blasphemy laws are frequently misused to target Christians and other minorities. Accusations are often made without evidence, yet the accused face mob violence, prolonged detention, and even death. The legal system fails to protect the innocent. Forced conversions of Christian women and girls continue to be reported across multiple provinces. Perpetrators rarely face accountability. Families are left without justice. Christian communities face discrimination in employment, housing, and access to public services. Systemic inequality limits their ability to fully participate in civic life. Churches and Christian properties have been attacked and destroyed. Those responsible are seldom prosecuted. Pakistan's Constitution guarantees equality before the law and freedom of religion. International human rights obligations, including those under the UN Declaration of Human Rights, reinforce these commitments. It is time for these protections to be real, not just words on paper. We therefore demand the following: 1. Reform blasphemy laws to include strong safeguards against false accusations, ensure due process, and protect the accused from extrajudicial violence. 2. Enact and enforce legislation that criminalizes forced conversions and ensures perpetrators are prosecuted and punished. 3. Establish an independent oversight body to investigate and address discrimination against religious minorities in public institutions. 4. Prosecute those responsible for attacks on churches, Christian schools, and Christian homes without delay. 5. Guarantee equal access to justice for Christian citizens, including protection for lawyers and judges who take on minority rights cases. A nation's strength is measured by how it treats its most vulnerable. Pakistan has the opportunity to demonstrate that its laws protect every citizen equally, regardless of faith. We urge you to act now. Lives depend on it.