Islamabad, June 1: Genocide Watch, an organization monitoring human rights, has issued a warning regarding the increasing violations in Pakistan. Their recent report indicates that the country is currently at the third stage of genocide, termed “discrimination.”
The report highlights that discrimination against women and religious minorities is deeply entrenched in society, leading to widespread violence against these groups. Genocide Watch categorizes Pakistan under the third stage (discrimination) and the fifth stage (organization) of genocide.
Furthermore, the report points out that rising divisions based on religion, gender, and politics, along with restrictive laws, censorship, and inadequate security measures, are pushing the nation towards the sixth stage of “polarization.” Additionally, incidents of violence, persecution, and displacement against vulnerable communities indicate signs of the ninth stage, “persecution.”
In an article for PJ Media, Turkish journalist Uzay Bulut emphasized that these stages reflect conditions that could foster the planned destruction of any national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.
The report identifies key groups facing discrimination and persecution, including religious minorities such as Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Shia Muslims, and Ahmadis, as well as political opposition, women, and the LGBTQ+ community.
Women in Pakistan face severe issues such as acid attacks, forced marriages, child marriages, rape, human trafficking, forced conversions, and domestic violence. The report references a 2025 Lahore High Court decision that legitimized marriage upon reaching puberty under Islamic law, noting that child marriage remains widespread, with millions of girls married before the age of 18.
Additionally, Pakistan ranks at the bottom of the Global Gender Gap Index by the World Economic Forum.
Genocide Watch has alleged that journalists, activists, and academics face challenges such as censorship, threats, violence, arrests, and even murder, which adversely affects freedom of expression and public discourse.
The report expresses particular concern for the Christian community in Pakistan, which constitutes about 1.8% of the population and faces social and institutional discrimination.
The organization has urged the European Union to pressure Pakistan to implement reforms related to religious freedom, freedom of expression, and women’s rights through the GSP+ review process.
Moreover, they have called on the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to consider designating Pakistan as a “country of particular concern” regarding human rights, as serious concerns persist over violations against ethnic and religious minorities.
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