Lord Alton of Liverpool – To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they
have made to the government of Pakistan about the case of Maira Shahbaz; and what
assessment they have made of calls for her to be granted asylum in the UK.
[HL10561]
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon – The UK Government strongly condemns the forced
marriage and forced conversion of women and girls from religious minorities in Pakistan.
We are closely monitoring Maira Shahbaz’s case. We regularly raise our concerns about
Freedom of Religion or Belief, women and girls’ rights and gender equality with the
Government of Pakistan at a senior level. On 19 October, I raised our concerns about
child, early and forced marriage and forced conversion of women and girls with
Pakistan’s Minister for Human Rights, Dr Shireen Mazari. In addition, I raised our
concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief with Dr Mazari on 16 November. The
British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Dr Christian Turner CMG, raised our concerns
about the case of Maira Shahbaz with the Governor of Punjab, Chaudhry Muhammad
Sarwar,
The Government of Pakistan ‘s National Commission on the Rights of the Child has published a new Briefing following the kidnap, forced conversion, and coercive marriage of ARZOO RAJA to a 44 years old man and makes important recommendations on how to prevent these practices and how to expedite prosecutions of those responsible, and secure redress for those affected.
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