Pakistan Catholic Bishops’ Conference documents human rights abuses

The National Commission for Justice and Peace, a body of the Pakistan Catholic Bishops’ Conference, documented ongoing violence, discrimination, and persecution against religious minorities in its 2026 Human Rights Monitor. The report reviewed incidents from 2025, noting that Christian women and girls face abduction, forced conversion, and forced marriage.

The commission recorded eight Christians accused of blasphemy during the year. While two Christians obtained bail and eight others were acquitted, the report highlighted the severe impact of these laws. It cited the case of Anwar Kenneth, a 72-year-old Christian who was acquitted by the Supreme Court in June 2025 after spending 23 years on death row. Additionally, Christian nurses Mariam Lal and Newosh Arooj were acquitted in November after a court found the evidence against them insufficient.

To prevent further abuse, the commission called for the government to repeal or substantially amend Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. The commission also urged officials to compensate victims for economic, social, and psychological losses and to conduct a comprehensive study on the effects of these laws.