NEW DELHI: A day before UN General Assembly president Annalena Baerbock's visit to India, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has written to her, highlighting what it termed persistent atrocities against religious minorities in Pakistan and Bangladesh. The VHP sought urgent intervention from the United Nations.
Letter Details
In a letter dated April 27, VHP international president Alok Kumar cited instances of forced conversions, violence, and systemic discrimination targeting Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, and Christians. He wrote, "The scale and persistence of these grave human rights violations point to systemic discrimination," urging the UN to take affirmative action to safeguard the lives, rights, dignity, and properties of minorities.
Forced Conversions in Pakistan
Referring to findings of UN human rights experts, the letter noted that in Pakistan, about 75% of women and girls affected by forced conversion through marriage were Hindu and 25% Christian, with almost 80% of incidents occurring in Sindh province. It added, "Adolescent girls between 14 and 18 are particularly targeted... Women and girls face coercion, abuse, and severe trauma." Authorities often dismiss complaints, fail to investigate or prosecute, or neglect to properly assess the age of victims.
Communal Violence in Bangladesh
Regarding Bangladesh, the VHP cited reports submitted to the UN Human Rights Council, stating that from August 4 to 20, 2024 alone, 2,010 incidents of communal violence were recorded, predominantly targeting Hindus. The letter also raised concerns over the safety of indigenous communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region.
Demands and Actions
Kumar said assurances of equal rights to minorities post-Partition had unfortunately reversed, alleging continued persecution. The VHP has sought an independent international investigation, a victim protection mechanism, and accountability under international law. Copies of the letter were marked to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.
