Ahmadiyya muslims deprived of their voting rights in Pakistan’s parliamentary elections in february 2024

In line with our sources and media stories, Ahmadiyya Muslims are as soon as once more disadvantaged of their voting rights, in any respect ranges, as Pakistan prepares for nationwide parliamentary elections in February 2024. 

The appropriate to vote is a fundamental human proper in a democracy. Ahmadis are denied this proper by devious and discriminatory legal guidelines and guidelines in Pakistan. 

Discriminatory provisions in Pakistan’s electoral legislation successfully exclude members of the Ahmadiyya neighborhood due to their non secular beliefs. To register as voters, Ahmadis should both surrender their religion or conform to be positioned in a separate electoral record that categorizes them as “non-Muslim.” Self-identification as Muslims, nevertheless, is a cornerstone of Ahmadiyya non secular perception. Due to this, Ahmadis, who quantity greater than 500,000 in Pakistan, have in follow, been denied the suitable to vote in native, provincial, and nationwide elections. 

In 2002, Pakistan abolished an electoral system through which Muslims and Non-Muslims registered and voted in separate classes. The federal government additionally created a separate class for Ahmadis. Since then, all Pakistani residents vote based on a single electoral record besides the Ahmadis, who vote on a separate record. 

Pakistan’s most up-to-date elections legislation, the Elections Act 2017, retained these provisions concerning the standing of the Ahmadis. Beneath Pakistani legislation, if somebody objects to any voter being recognized as non-Muslim, the election fee can summon the particular person to declare they aren’t Ahmadi, in any other case they’re added to the non-Muslim record. Quite than deny their beliefs, most Ahmadis find yourself not voting in any respect. 

In line with the 2018 report of the EU Electoral Observer Mission: “Though steps have been taken to make sure participation of minorities within the electoral course of, the state of affairs of the Ahmadi neighborhood stays unchanged. They’re nonetheless registered on a separate electoral roll, opposite to constitutional provisions on the equality of residents and in opposition to worldwide legislation.” 

Pakistan’s upcoming elections can’t be thought of free and honest if a complete neighborhood is successfully excluded from the electoral course of. Non secular disagreements don’t justify denying individuals their proper to vote. Pakistani authorities ought to enable the complete and equal participation of members of the Ahmadiyya neighborhood within the basic elections and past. 

Such human rights violations contravene Article 25 of the Worldwide Covenant of Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) which protects residents’ proper to vote. The ICCPR expressly prevents distinctions being made on the grounds of faith. Pakistan has signed and agreed to abide by the ICCPR and by setting up laws which successfully prevents Ahmadi Muslims from voting, Pakistan acts in direct contravention of worldwide legislation. This disenfranchisement has been repeatedly criticised by main worldwide organisations together with the UN Human Rights Council, the European Union, the State Division of USA, the Parliamentary Human Rights Teams of UK, Sweden, Holland, Belgium, Germany, France and the Asian Human Rights Fee. 

 Human rights teams have repeatedly expressed their deep concern over the dearth of consideration to the intense human rights violations perpetrated in opposition to the Ahmadiyya neighborhood around the globe and known as on the worldwide neighborhood to step up efforts in bringing an finish to the continued persecution of Ahmadis. 

On July 13, 2021, UN human rights specialists expressed their deep concern over the dearth of consideration to the intense human rights violations perpetrated in opposition to the Ahmadiyya neighborhood around the globe and known as on the worldwide neighborhood to step up efforts in bringing an finish to the continued persecution of Ahmadis. 

 We as soon as once more urge the worldwide neighborhood to strain the Authorities of Pakistan to honor its duty to offer equal rights for Ahmadis as all its residents, guarantee freedom of spiritual follow to Ahmadis. The Authorities of Pakistan should deliver its legal guidelines and practices in conformity with worldwide requirements as ordained by Article 2, 18 and the Worldwide Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Article 25, 26.

Nasim Malik

Normal Secretary IHRC.