Lahore, 25 May 2018. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has noted with
grave concern the recent demolition of an Ahmadiyya place of worship in Sialkot as well as a house of historical significance to the community.
According to a press release issued by the Jamaat-i-Ahmadiyya spokesperson, up to 35 Municipal Committee personnel arrived at the house of the late Hakim Hassamuddin on Wednesday night and began to demolish the building. They were joined by a mob of about 600 people who reportedly vandalized an Ahmadiyya place of worship nearby. The press release alleges that the Ahmadiyya community was âin the middle of a legal process to acquire access to the buildingâ when the local administration began the demolition âwithout having acquired permission from the court.â The mayor of Sialkot, Chaudhary Tauheed Akhtar, claims the building that was demolished was âan illegal constructionâ and scheduled for demolition.
In a statement issued today, HRCP has called on the government to investigate the incident through an independent, high-level probe and to take appropriate action swiftly: âIt is critical that the facts of the case be established transparently. The beleaguered Ahmadiyya community is already vulnerable to harassment and violence: the state must take special care to ensure that the communityâs places of worship and sites of religious significance are protected as far as possible. All religious minorities are entitled to this protection under the Constitution and the reported mob vandalism in this case is insupportable.â
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For a PDF version of this press release, click here
