European Parliament adopts resolution against forced conversions and child marriages in Pakistan
The European Parliament on Thursday adopted a resolution condemning the abduction, forced conversion, and child marriage of young girls in Pakistan, calling on the country to strengthen protections for girls belonging to religious minorities. The resolution specifically highlighted the case of 13-year-old Maria Shahbaz, a Pakistani Christian girl who was abducted, converted to Islam, and forcibly married to her abductor in March 2026.
Maria Shahbaz case emblematic of broader violations
In an official press release, the European Parliament underscored that Shahbaz's case is emblematic of the broader human rights violations faced by minorities in Pakistan. The resolution stated: "MEPs are calling for her to have access to legal representation, her family, and psychological support. They condemn similar abuses committed against underage girls belonging to religious minorities, underlining that her case is emblematic of broader human rights violations faced by minorities in Pakistan; according to UN figures in 2025, among women and girls affected by forced conversion through marriage, around 75% were Hindu and 25% were Christian."
Call for national mechanism and judicial reforms
The European Parliament urged Pakistani authorities to fully implement the country's national framework to end child marriage, which is already the case in some provinces, and to create a "national mechanism" for handling complaints from families of abducted or forcibly converted minority girls. The resolution added: "MEPs call for the protection of religious minorities and urge Pakistan's government to ensure that all cases involving minors or allegations of coercion are subject to transparent and independent investigations. The perpetrators must be prosecuted and Pakistan's judicial framework strengthened, they add, and abducted girls must be able to return safely."
Human Rights Focus Pakistan details the case
In April this year, Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) expressed deep concern over the case of Maria Shahbaz, who was abducted in Lahore, forcibly converted to Islam, and subjected to a forced marriage later upheld by court rulings. According to HRFP, Maria was abducted on July 29, 2025, and presented before a magistrate, where a statement was recorded claiming she had voluntarily converted and married a 30-year-old man. Despite official documentation confirming her minor status, the Federal Constitutional Court in March upheld the marriage and granted custody to the accused. As of April, Maria remains in his custody while her family continues to pursue legal appeals.
Broader pattern of abuses against minorities
HRFP emphasized that this case is not an isolated incident but part of a persistent pattern involving the abduction, forced conversion, and forced marriage of minority girls in Pakistan, particularly from Christian and Hindu communities. The European Parliament's resolution echoes these concerns, urging Pakistan to take concrete steps to protect religious minorities and ensure justice for victims.
