Minority Rights

Press release

At HRC61, GHRD Highlights the Human Rights Implications of Blasphemy Laws for Minority Communities Across Asia

At the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Global Human Rights Defence hosted a side event on the impact of blasphemy laws on minority communities in Asia. Speakers highlighted that such laws exist in around 100 countries and are often used to target minorities and dissenting voices. The discussion emphasized that blasphemy laws are incompatible with international human rights standards and called on states to reform or repeal them.

Article

Menstrual Health as a Human Right – Addressing The “Pink Tax” in Pakistan

This article explores the ongoing persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, highlighting recurring incidents of violence, including attacks on temples, homes, and individuals. It examines the gap between constitutional guarantees of secularism and the lived reality of discrimination faced by the Hindu minority. The piece argues that despite legal provisions for equality and religious freedom, systemic failures continue to expose Hindus to insecurity and targeted violence.

Press release

International Conference on Human Rights Allegations in Bangladesh

An international conference on blasphemy allegations and the protection of religious minorities in Bangladesh was held on 24 January 2026 in The Hague, organized by Global Human Rights Defence. Opened by Harry van Bommel, the conference addressed violence against minorities, especially Hindus, amidst critiques of laws being misused despite no formal blasphemy law existing. Data revealed 2,829 incidents against Hindus from August 2024 to December 2025, including lynchings. Dr. Anthonie Holslag delivered the keynote address, with various panels discussing the topic. The conference concluded with calls for stronger international action to protect religious minorities, criticizing the insufficient responses from entities like the UN and EU.

Press release

The Hague Reviews Escalating Human Rights Violations Against Religious Minorities in Bangladesh

An international human rights conference in The Hague, convened by Global Human Rights Defence, addressed the crisis facing religious minorities in Bangladesh due to mob violence tied to blasphemy allegations. Keynote speaker Dr. Anthonie Holslag linked blasphemy laws to “creeping genocide,” emphasizing the impunity these laws create. The discussions highlighted the disparity between Bangladesh’s constitutional promises and the harsh realities encountered by minorities, exacerbated by media misinformation and limited international coverage. The conference emphasized the global obligation to protect religious minorities, advocating for ongoing monitoring and adherence to human rights standards, with a call for accountability and the application of international law.

Press release

International Conference on Blasphemy Allegations in Bangladesh Concluded

The Global Human Rights Defence held an international conference on January 24, 2026, in The Hague, focusing on “Blasphemy Allegations, Mob Violence and the Protection of Religious Minorities in Bangladesh.” The event discussed the rising violence against religious minorities, especially Hindus, in Bangladesh, noting over 2,829 incidents of lynching and targeted violence in 2025. Experts examined historical persecution patterns and stressed the lack of a specific blasphemy law in Bangladesh, contrasting it with strict penal code regulations. The conference also addressed the media’s role in these issues and the need for active human rights advocacy, with prominent speakers like Dr. Anthonie Holslag highlighting the urgency to protect vulnerable groups.

Press release

International Conference in The Hague Examines Escalating Human Rights Violations Against Religious Minorities in Bangladesh

Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD) organized a conference in The Hague addressing human rights violations against religious minorities in Bangladesh. The event, titled “Blasphemy Allegations, Mob Violence and the Protection of Religious Minorities in Bangladesh,” focused on violence linked to blasphemy allegations and the legal frameworks sustaining impunity. It underscored the importance of international responses, legal accountability, and accurate media coverage to protect minority rights. Conference participants highlighted the need for ongoing international engagement to reconcile constitutional protections with the real-life challenges faced by these minorities in Bangladesh.

Press release

Child Marriage in Sindh: How Marginalisation, Climate Crisis and Religious Extremism Fuel a Growing Human Rights Crisis

Sindh continues to face alarming human rights challenges, particularly affecting young girls from marginalised and minority communities. Despite existing laws, child marriage and forced religious conversions remain widespread due to weak enforcement, political resistance, poverty, and entrenched social norms. This article outlines the structural causes behind these violations and highlights the urgent need for stronger protections, accountability, and coordinated efforts to safeguard vulnerable girls in the region. 

Article

Religious Persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh

This article explores the ongoing persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, highlighting recurring incidents of violence, including attacks on temples, homes, and individuals. It examines the gap between constitutional guarantees of secularism and the lived reality of discrimination faced by the Hindu minority. The piece argues that despite legal provisions for equality and religious freedom, systemic failures continue to expose Hindus to insecurity and targeted violence.

Judges desk with gavel and scales
Article

The Impact of Blasphemy Laws on Minority Communities in Pakistan: The Case of the Ahmadiyya Community

In Pakistan, blasphemy laws have shifted from colonial safeguards against inter-religious conflict to powerful instruments of persecution. Originally presented as protections for religious devotion, they are now widely misused to silence dissent and marginalise minorities. For the Ahmadiyya community, these laws do not merely restrict expression but criminalise existence itself, exposing Ahmadis to violence, exclusion, and systemic discrimination. Their plight illustrates how blasphemy legislation, far from ensuring harmony, undermines the rule of law and violates fundamental human rights.