Minority Concern Urges Immediate Government Action to Stop Forced Conversion and Marriage of Young Non-Muslim Girls in Pakistan

Minority Concern expresses deep alarm over persistent reports of forced conversions and coerced marriages of underage Christian girls in Pakistan.

During its annual meeting, the organization calls for urgent, coordinated action by Pakistani authorities, international human rights bodies, and civil society organizations to address this ongoing crisis.

As an advocacy organization, Minority Concern remains steadfast in its mission to defend religious freedom, protect vulnerable communities, and uphold the rights of all girls to live in safety, dignity, and freedom.

Over the past several years, human rights groups, religious freedom advocates, and community organizations have documented a deeply disturbing trend: Christian and other minority girls—some as young as 12—being abducted, forcibly converted to Islam, and compelled into marriages with adult men. Families seeking the return of their children often face legal, social, and security obstacles, while perpetrators frequently evade accountability due to weak enforcement, intimidation, and loopholes within existing laws.

Minority Concern states: “The coerced conversion and marriage of young girls is not only a violation of their religious freedom—it is a violation of their childhood, their dignity, and their most fundamental human rights. No child should be forced to change her faith or enter a marriage she does not choose.”

Despite the existence of laws intended to protect minors, Minority Concern notes that birth certificates and other age-verifying documents are often disregarded during court proceedings. Families seeking justice face intimidation and social pressure, and perpetrators frequently exploit religious sensitivities to avoid investigation or prosecution. As a result, victims rarely receive the protection, support, or rehabilitation they need.

Minority Concern urges the Government of Pakistan to:

• Enforce existing child protection, marriage, and anti-abduction laws uniformly and without religious bias.
• Ensure that courts verify the age and consent of alleged converts, prioritizing the rights and welfare of minors.
• Establish special investigative units to address cases of abduction and forced conversion.
• Provide safe shelters, legal assistance, and psychological support for victims and their families.
• Hold accountable all individuals and networks involved in abduction, coercion, and child marriage.

“We also call on the United Nations Human Rights Council, national and international civil society and concerned citizens to advocate for legal reforms, and help protect vulnerable minority communities,” Minority Concern added.