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<p>We remain deeply concerned about restrictions on freedom of religion or belief
in Pakistan. The British Government strongly condemns the persecution of all minorities,
including the targeting of innocent people based on their beliefs. Pakistan is one
of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) human rights priority countries, as
set out in the FCO's 2017 Annual Human Rights and Democracy Report available at the
gov.uk website.</p><p>We regularly raise the issues of freedom of religion and belief
and the protection of minority religious communities, with the Pakistan government
at a senior level. When the Prime Minister spoke to Prime Minister Imran Khan in August,
she highlighted the importance of Pakistan delivering on its commitments to strengthen
institutions responsible for upholding the rule of law, and to advance the rights
of minorities. I raised our concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief and the protection
of minority religious communities with Pakistan's Human Rights Minister, Dr Shireen
Mazari, in September 2018.</p><p>Under the Magna Carta Fund for Human Rights and Democracy,
the British Government has supported projects in Pakistan to promote greater tolerance
and religious freedom.</p><p>The UK raised concerns about Freedom of Religion or Belief
at Pakistan's UN Universal Periodic Review of human rights in November 2017. We pressed
Pakistan to strengthen the protection of minorities, including by establishing an
independent National Commission for Minorities from all faith communities.</p><p>We
continue to urge Pakistan to take the steps necessary to comply in full with its human
rights obligations, including engaging with the UN and other international bodies,
and to ensure that the rights of minorities are respected.</p>
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