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<p>We are aware of Mr Shakoor's case who is an 84 year old bookshop owner. We remain
deeply concerned about reports of discrimination and abuses against the Ahmadiyya
community and other religious minorities in Pakistan. The Government strongly condemns
the persecution of all minorities, including the targeting of innocent people based
on their beliefs.</p><p>We regularly raise our concerns about the protection of minority
communities, including Ahmadiyya Muslims, with the Pakistani Government at a senior
level.</p><p>At the UN Periodic Review of Pakistan’s human rights record in November
2017, the UK raised concerns about limits on freedoms of expression and religion or
belief, particularly for the Christian and Ahmadiyya Muslim communities, as well as
the increased misuse of terror legislation to portray religious publications of minority
communities as hate material.</p><p>I discussed the treatment of the Ahmadiyya Muslim
community and Abdul Shakoor's case with Pakistan’s Human Rights Minister in February
2019 during my visit to Islamabad. I am pleased to report that Abdul Shakoor was released
on the 18 March 2019.</p><p>We will continue to urge the Government of Pakistan to
guarantee fully the rights of all Pakistani citizens, including religious minorities,
and to honour its international obligations.</p><p></p>
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