United Nations: China and Pakistan were targeted for their persecution of religious minorities, with western powers such the US and UK calling out both nations at a UN Security Council meeting on Thursday for the oppression faced by Christians, Ahmadis, Uighurs and other ethnic minorities.
Addressing the Arria-Formula Meeting of the Security Council on ‘Advancing the Safety and Security of Persons Belonging to Religious Minorities in Armed Conflict’, US Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom Samuel Brownback said religious freedom is essential for achieving peace and stability within nations and among nations. He then called out Pakistan for the persecution religious minorities in the country.
“In Pakistan, religious minorities continue to suffer from persecution, either at the hands of non-state actors or through discriminatory laws and practices,” Brownback said.
He also voiced concern over the “undue restrictions” on religious freedom in China, strongly calling on Beijing to end its “war on faith” and to respect religious freedom for all.
“It is important to note that the presence of conflict is not the only context for the oppression of religious minorities. We remain deeply concerned about the Chinese government’s escalating, widespread and undue restrictions on religious freedom in China, and we urge the Chinese government to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of everyone in that nation,” Brownback said.
He emphasised many members of religious groups in China including ethnic Uighur, Kazakhs and other Muslims, Tibetan Buddhists, Catholics, Protestants and Falun Gong face severe persecution and repression, and “we call on the Chinese government to end its war on faith and to respect religious freedom for all.”
Significantly, in their remarks, UK, France and Canada also spoke out against the oppression of religious minorities in China and Pakistan.
However, nobody at the UN meeting made reference to any Indian minority group.
Addressing the meeting, UN chief António Guterres called for an end to the persecution of religious groups. (PTI)
