Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Ahmadi Muslims: Pakistan

06 September 2023 · 16 other contributors · 8,956 words

Opened by Elliot Colburn Con Carshalton and Wallington

Responding minister: Leo Docherty

Foreign AffairsReligion & Faith

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Elliot Colburn raised concerns about ahmadi muslims: pakistan in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • Elliot Colburn raised concerns about the discrimination and persecution of Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan, including legal restrictions preventing Ahmadis from identifying as Muslim or practising Islam.
  • Colburn asked the Government to press for the removal of anti-Ahmadi laws and to better protect Ahmadis fleeing persecution.
  • The UK Government recognises the persecution faced by Ahmadi Muslims and works to promote their safety through diplomatic efforts.

Key requests to Government

Colburn asks the Government to continue pressing for the relaxation and removal of anti-Ahmadi rhetoric and legislation from penal codes and blasphemy laws. He also inquires about what the FCDO is doing to better protect and assist Ahmadis fleeing persecution and violence, particularly those who have settled in Carshalton and Wallington.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Elliot Colburn Con Carshalton and Wallington

Elliot Colburn is concerned about the ongoing discrimination and persecution of Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan, including legal changes that prevent Ahmadis from calling themselves Muslim or practising Islam. Since 1984, 277 Ahmadi Muslims have been murdered, over 220 mosques have been demolished or banned from construction, and more than 430 graves have been desecrated. Additionally, the right to worship and practice faith is under increasing attack, with Ahmadis being prohibited from building new mosques or holding religious gatherings.

Other contributors (16)
  • Alison Thewliss

    She paid tribute to the Ahmadi community in her constituency and raised concerns about hate preachers from Pakistan coming to the UK on visas. She asked what safeguards are in place to prevent this and protect communities from religious persecution.

  • Catherine West Lab Hornsey and Friern Barnet

    Catherine West raised concerns about the persecution of Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan, highlighting legal changes that restrict their religious freedoms. She mentioned the desecration of Ahmadi graves and questioned whether UK aid is inadvertently supporting any persecution against Ahmadis.

  • Edward Davey Lib Dem Kingston and Surbiton

    Edward Davey welcomed the debate on the persecution of Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan and emphasised the need for the UK Government to raise its voice and work with other countries. He expressed concern over the worsening situation due to political chaos allowing extremists to exploit it, leading to more mosque desecrations, assaults, and murders. Davey urged the Minister to clarify what actions the Government is taking against Pakistan.

  • Fiona Bruce

    Bruce focused on restrictions on Ahmadi Muslim lawyers and the detention of Ahmadi religious prisoners. She mentioned unacceptable restrictions by district bar associations, urging the Minister to press Pakistan's Government to ensure legal representation for Ahmadi Muslims and prevent threats against them.

  • Fleur Anderson Lab Putney

    She expressed concern about the discrimination faced by Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan and urged the Government to press for their rights, including allowing them to vote and release those imprisoned due to their faith. Fleur Anderson asked whether there would be a review of visa policies to prevent hate preachers from entering the UK.

  • Jake Berry

    I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this important debate. The point he raises about the persecution of Ahmadis is absolutely appalling. It has real effects in the UK, including discrimination against Ahmadi communities.

  • Jason McCartney

    I thank my hon. Friend for securing this important debate and fully support his request for the Foreign Office and the Home Office to continue raising the unacceptable persecution of Ahmadi Muslims.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    The MP highlighted the surge in prosecution and blasphemy allegations against Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan, noting a recent attack on an Ahmadi mosque in Karachi. He expressed concern over the exclusion of Ahmadis from voting rights and the protection they should receive under Pakistani law. The MP urged the Minister to press for equal religious freedoms for all communities in Pakistan.

  • John Martin McDonnell Lab Hayes and Harlington

    John Martin McDonnell highlighted the repetitive nature of debates on Ahmadi Muslim persecution in Pakistan, noting that despite previous discussions and reports, the situation has not improved. He cited a 2014 UN rapporteur's report which urged Pakistan to guarantee freedom of religion or belief and put protective measures in place. Since then, there have been numerous attacks against Ahmadi Muslims including mosque burnings, murders, and imprisonment for blasphemy. John Martin McDonnell suggested considering the use of Magnitsky sanctions against individuals involved in persecuting Ahmadis in Pakistan, noting that many of these individuals have links with the UK.

  • John Spellar

    Is the right to the free exercise of religion not fundamental to the United Nations charter? Should we hold countries accountable for their failure to protect religious freedom?

  • Jonathan Lord

    Jonathan Lord intervened to ask if UK aid money could be going towards textbooks containing lies or hate, ensuring that such support does not occur directly or indirectly through various channels.

  • Martyn Day SNP Linlithgow and East Falkirk

    Mr Martyn Day expressed concern about the persecution of Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan, including blasphemy laws leading to imprisonment and violence against Ahmadis. He noted over 170 graves and two houses destroyed from January to July 2023 alone under police supervision. Mr Day urged the UK Government to use its partnership with Pakistan to encourage respect for international obligations, including revoking the blasphemy law.

  • Rupa Huq Lab Ealing Central and Acton

    The hon. Member is making an excellent and moving speech, and I am learning a lot about the situation in Pakistan. She mentioned civil society groups and praised diaspora groups for their efforts.

  • Siobhain McDonagh Lab Mitcham and Morden

    The MP congratulated Elliot Colburn for securing the debate and highlighted the work of the all-party parliamentary group for the Ahmadiyya Muslim community. She expressed concern about discrimination against Ahmadis in Pakistan, noting that younger people are more discriminatory than older ones. McDonagh also raised issues with FCDO money being used to produce books in schools that discriminate against Ahmadis.

  • Stephen Hammond

    Hammond intervened, agreeing with Bruce that continuing to raise issues in Parliament is essential to combat persecution of Ahmadis in Pakistan.

  • Tan Dhesi Lab Slough

    I congratulate the hon. Member on securing the debate and thank him for allowing me to intervene. I have often spoken up about the human rights of minorities, and freedom of religious belief is something that we should strongly protect across the globe.

Government Response

Leo Docherty

The UK Government recognises the persecution faced by the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Pakistan. The Minister for South Asia, Lord Ahmad, has been advocating for religious freedom through diplomatic channels. The UK supports initiatives to review Pakistan's national curriculum to ensure inclusivity and has raised concerns about blasphemy laws at international forums. The FCDO works closely with Pakistani officials to promote the safety of Ahmadi Muslims and other marginalised groups.

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