What Does the Geneva Exhibition Reveal About the Persecution of Minorities in Pakistan and Bangladesh?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Ongoing persecution of minorities in Pakistan and Bangladesh.
- Systematic discrimination and violence against communities.
- Urgent need for international action and awareness.
- Importance of raising public consciousness regarding human rights issues.
- Call for accountability and protection for vulnerable groups.
Geneva, Sep 12 (NationPress) An impactful exhibition hosted by Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD) at the renowned Place des Nations, next to the Broken Chair monument in Geneva, highlighted the ongoing persecution and human rights violations faced by vulnerable minorities in Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The three-day event, which took place from September 8-10, attracted considerable attention from the public, civil society members, and international guests.
Utilizing compelling posters, statistical data, and portraits of victims, the exhibition elevated the voices of communities such as the Ahmadiyya, Sindh, and Baloch communities in Pakistan, in addition to Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian minorities in Bangladesh who are often overlooked.
“These groups face systemic discrimination, targeted violence, forced conversions, abductions, and restrictions on their freedom of religion or belief. In Pakistan, members of the Ahmadiyya community are legally marginalized and frequently subjected to hate campaigns, while Baloch and Sindhi activists often suffer from enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings,” stated a release from GHRD.
“In Bangladesh, religious minorities endure intimidation, destruction of places of worship, and marginalization in both political and social spheres. Across both nations, victims and survivors frequently find themselves without access to justice and protection, leaving them susceptible to ongoing abuse,” it continued.
The exhibition garnered a diverse audience, highlighting the pressing need to confront systemic discrimination and atrocities faced by these populations in Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Visitors engaged profoundly with the material, many expressing heartfelt solidarity and calling for increased global awareness and action.
The exhibition’s strong public response mirrored the escalating concern regarding the plight of minorities in South Asia. GHRD urged the United Nations, international policymakers, and human rights organizations to take tangible measures to safeguard vulnerable communities and hold offenders accountable.
Earlier this week, during the 60th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, an event titled 'Voices from the Margins: Protecting Minority Rights in South Asia' focused on the troubling situation across South Asia, especially regarding religious persecution in Pakistan and the targeting of Hindus and indigenous groups in Bangladesh.
GHRD, along with partners, organized the event, which was attended by at least 50 representatives from civil society, missions, and permanent missions, including those from Greece, Denmark, China, India, and Bangladesh.