Tombstones of Ahmadi Muslims smashed to pieces in vicious attack on cemetery in Jhelum, Pakistan

The graves of Ahmadi Muslims have once again been desecrated and vandalised in a vicious and senseless attack by "Pakistani self-defence elements".

The serious attack took place on 16 July 2023 in Mehmoodabad, a town near the city of Jhelum.

Unknown assailants attacked the tombstones of two graves in a common graveyard. The tombstones were smashed to pieces and were splattered with black paint obscuring the writing on the tombstone.

The graves belonged to two elders of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. There was a protective fence built around these graves, which was even damaged.

Persecution against Ahmadi Muslims has intensified lately, as the IHRC has reported similar incidents almost daily against this minority group.

Vandalism is a favourite tactic that has been employed by anti-Ahmadi elements in Pakistan for years. This shameful tactic means that Ahmadi Muslims are not exempt from persecution even after they are dead.

Intolerance and hatred of Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan is nothing new; rather, it is a decades-long history that gathers momentum day by day under state supervision. The systematic marginalisation of Ahmadis in all walks of life because of their religious beliefs is not considered punishable and Ahmadis are being treated as a class devoid of basic human rights.

This attitude must be stopped at all costs and those who commit the crimes must be brought to justice immediately.

Unfortunately, there is no simple solution as the government itself and the authorities encourage these attitudes. These authorities are the first to be discouraged from using immoral tactics for political gain.

The IHRC has not ceased to raise its voice for many months now over the attacks on Ahmadi Muslims at their places of worship and graves. Attacks on its members are increasingly intensifying. These attacks are denounced on social media and by international NGOs.

Once again, we strongly urge the international community to urge the Government of Pakistan to dismiss any absurd court case against the Ahmadis. They must release all detainees and thus fulfil their responsibility to provide effective protection and freedom of religious practice to the Ahmadis.

Likewise the Government of Pakistan must enforce the law so that those who perpetrate these heinous acts are brought to justice, and thereby enforce its laws and practices in accordance with the international standards mandated by Article 20 and the Universal Standards of the United Nations, the Declaration of Human Rights, Articles 2, 18 and 20, and the International Declaration and Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Article 25, 26.