Statement by India during the 42nd Session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group Meeting (23rd January – 3rd February 2023) 4th UPR of Pakistan– Interactive Dialogue delivered by Mr. Pawankumar Badhe, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of India (Geneva, 30th January 2023)
Mr. President,
We take note of Pakistan’s national report.
2. Since the last review, Pakistan’s human rights record has deteriorated drastically.
3. Minorities in Pakistan, including Muslim minorities like Shias, Hazaras and Ahmadiyya, have been subjected to sectarian violence and systemic persecution. People in regions such as Baluchistan, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have continued to suffer political repression, persecution and denial of their rights.
4. Extrajudicial abductions, enforced disappearances, arbitrary detentions and tortures have been used by Pakistan as tools of State Policy to target human rights defenders, political activists and journalists.
5. India recommends Pakistan to:
i. End systemic persecution of minorities, misuse of blasphemy laws and forced conversions of minority community girls;
ii. Stop targeting political dissidents and legitimate political activities in Sindh, Baluchistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa;
iii. Take credible, verifiable, irreversible and sustained action against terrorism emanating from territories under its control.
6. I thank you, Mr. President.
