Advocates urge U.S. action on religious rights violations in Pakistan

Religious freedom advocates recently briefed U.S. congressional staff on the ongoing abduction, forced conversion, and marriage of minority girls in Pakistan. The October 13 event in Washington D.C. was organized by the Jubilee Campaign, Ex-Muslims of North America, and the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom. Participants highlighted systemic failures in Pakistani law enforcement and the judiciary that leave Christian and other minority children vulnerable to abuse.

During the briefing, Joseph Janssen of the Jubilee Campaign presented findings from an updated report documenting 210 cases of coerced conversion and marriage involving Christian girls between 2019 and 2025. Janssen stated that families often face discrimination when seeking justice, noting that authorities frequently accept falsified documents or coerced statements without proper investigation. The discussion also addressed broader concerns regarding extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detention related to blasphemy accusations, and restrictions on religious expression. Advocates urged U.S. lawmakers to pressure the Pakistani government to improve protections for religious minorities and ensure the safety of vulnerable children.