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U.K. FOREIGN & COMMONWEALTH OFFICE HIGHLIGHT PERSECUTION OF AHMADIYYA MUSLIM COMMUNITY

AHMADIYYA MUSLIM JAMA’AT - SRI LANKA 619/4, Baseline Road, Colombo 9, Sri Lanka.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community welcomes the publication of the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) 'Human Rights Annual Report 2007' in which persecution of Ahmadi Muslims in both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is highlighted. This report was launched by the Foreign Secretary, David Miliband MP on 25 March 2008.

Both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are highlighted as 'major countries of concern' with regard their Human Rights records.

In respect of Pakistan the Report finds:

"The situation of religious and other minority groups in Pakistan continues to be of concern. Blasphemy legislation and its frequent abuse cause significant problems for minority groups such as the Ahmadis and Christians, who face attacks. Police protection remains ineffective. Perpetrators of abuse are rarely brought to justice." (p.108 & p.167)

Regarding the situation in Saudi Arabia the Report finds:

"In December 2006, the religious police raided a gathering of the Ahmadiyya religious group and detained 49 foreign nationals, including 19 women and children. The detainees were deported." (p.173)

It is hoped that the U.K. Foreign Office continues to make representations on behalf of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in an effort to persuade those Foreign Governments that are of concern, to allow Ahmadis to practice their faith peacefully and without fear of any form of discrimination.

It is of note that persecution of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is not limited to the two aforementioned countries. Persecution, at various levels, has occurred in a number of countries in recent years, notably Bangladesh, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

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