The commission’s call for public support has been echoed by several human rights and minority leaders, who view the apparent crackdown as part of a larger pattern of shrinking civic space in Pakistan.
Concern is rippling through Pakistan’s civil society and minority communities after the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) accused the federal and provincial governments of actively suppressing its operations. The respected rights watchdog, known for its decades-long advocacy on behalf of marginalised groups, claims it is facing “arbitrary, illegal and unjustified actions” aimed at curbing its influence and independence.
In a strongly worded statement issued on July 2, the Lahore-based HRCP warned that recent efforts by authorities to block its public events and intimidate staff represent an unprecedented assault on its mission since the organisation was founded in 1987.
“These actions are not only unjustified, but also violate the basic freedoms of expression, association, and assembly,” the commission said. “Human rights defenders must be allowed to operate without fear of reprisal or undue interference.”
Harris Khalique, HRCP’s secretary general, told OWSA that both federal and provincial governments were targeting their staff across various regions. “Police are being used to harass us. One of our team members was recently beaten by police in Sindh for participating in a peaceful protest,” Khalique said. Another staffer was summoned by police in Karachi for questioning, he added.
The commission’s call for public support has been echoed by several human rights and minority leaders, who view the apparent crackdown as part of a larger pattern of shrinking civic space in Pakistan.
Father Bonnie Mendes, founder of the Society for Human Development and a veteran rights advocate, called on minority communities to rise in defence of the HRCP. “Every Christian, Hindu, and underprivileged person should speak out in support of the commission,” Mendes said. “It has stood by victims of injustice for decades. Weakening it will only deepen the suffering of our most vulnerable citizens.”
High-risk Situations
Mendes highlighted the HRCP’s efforts in high-risk situations, including its fact-finding mission after the 2023 Jaranwala incident, where a Muslim mob torched multiple churches and Christian homes over blasphemy allegations. The commission’s report identified local clerics as inciters of the violence, a bold move that few other organizations dared to make.
Faraz Pervaiz, a Christian activist and coordinator for the Thailand-based organisation, ‘The Refuge of David Mission Asia’, also condemned the Pakistani government’s actions. Speaking from exile, Pervaiz said that curbing the HRCP threatens not only domestic justice efforts but also Pakistan’s credibility on the global stage.
“Silencing the commission means silencing our last hope for impartial documentation, legal support, and international attention,” said Pervaiz, who fled Pakistan in 2014 after facing blasphemy accusations. “This is about the survival of civil society in the face of growing authoritarianism.”
Chaman Lal, chairman of the Hindu-run Samaj Sewa Foundation Pakistan, described the HRCP as a “beacon of hope” for religious minorities. “At a time when mob attacks, forced conversions, and false blasphemy charges are on the rise, this organization is often our only ally,” he said. “The government’s silence while hardline religious groups grow more aggressive is pushing minorities further into fear and insecurity.”
Despite repeated attempts by OWSA to reach government officials for comment, no statement has been issued. One official declined to respond when contacted by phone.
The HRCP’s situation has prompted renewed calls for the protection of human rights defenders in Pakistan, as well as scrutiny of the increasing restrictions on non-governmental organizations. Analysts warn that efforts to stifle the HRCP could trigger further alienation among minority groups and erode public trust in democratic institutions.
As rights advocates rally in support of the commission, the broader question looms: will Pakistan’s civil society be allowed to function freely, or is the space for dissent shrinking beyond repair?
