An international conference entitled « Human Rights in Pakistan » was organized on October 2nd at the United Nations headquarters Geneva from 10 to 11 by international support for Human Rights with around 25 participants including NGOs , academics,journalists and representatives of UN missions .The speakers evoked the human rights situation in Pakistan as well as the implication of the Pakistani government in military operations mainly in Sudan which gave support to RSF and resulted in huge human rights violations in the region.
The debate was moderated by Dr Chongsi Ayeah Joseph, an Advocacy and international law expert.
Ms Arielle Vesin President of the international support for Human Rights opened the debate followed by Dr wolf who evoked the threat of militarisation in Pakistan and its impact on international peace and security mainly with regard to Sudan .
Pakistan’s military diplomacy serves as a key instrument of power projection in its foreign policy, extending beyond mere defense industry exports. Its strategic engagements, characterized by military training and arms exports, aim to counterbalance India’s influence through a three-pronged strategy: Delay, Distract, and Discredit. However, Pakistan’s military assistance operates largely outside civilian control and is influenced by external partners, highlighting a civil-military imbalance. The relationship with Sudan exemplifies both the potential and limitations of this approach, as historical ties and defense agreements reflect shared challenges faced by both nations in military governance and political instability. A recent example of the destabilizing nature of Pakistani defense exports was the transfer of APCs to the Sudanese Armed Forces, despite its alleged arms deal with the country being announced as terminated earlier in 2026. Sudan’s government is engaged in a brutal civil war with all major warring parties likely committing war crimes. Sudan’s government is sanctioned by the United States and recent media reports indicate it has developed and potentially used chemical weapon.
In his presentation ,former Mep Paulo Casaca critized the EU’s GSP+ trade policy in Pakistan, highlighting its ineffective promotion of human rights over twelve years. He argued that the economic impacts, stemming from the EU’s preferential trade agreements, create disadvantages for competing countries, particularly affecting Pakistan significantly. The analysis stresses the need for a political understanding of human rights issues tailored to Pakistan’s unique context, namely military rule, religious fanaticism, and terrorism’s influence on policy. He mentioned the case of militarization in the port of Sudan which supports the islamist agenda in the region,violates human rights and threatens peace and security in the Red Sea and in Europe.
Ultimately, he called for a reevaluation of the EU’s approach, suggesting a return to earlier trade thresholds to better address Pakistan’s complex challenges.
In his speech,Marco Respinti, journalist and director of Bitter winter organization,discussed religious liberty in Pakistan, emphasizing the constitutional and practical limitations faced by religious minorities, notably Ahmadis. Although Article 20 of the Constitution guarantees religious freedom, it is constrained by public order, with Islam as the state religion. The Second Amendment and Ordinance XX classify Ahmadis as non-Muslims, excluding them from political rights and increasing their vulnerability to discrimination. The blasphemy laws are highlighted as tools for persecution, disproportionately affecting Christians, Hindus, and Ahmadis. In 2024, there were 344 documented cases of blasphemy, revealing a systemic issue where even mainstream Muslims face arbitrary charges. This underscores a troubling normalization of using severe penalties for theological disputes in Pakistan.
It is highly important to note the contradictory policy of the Pakistani government which promotes its UN stance on one hand by supporting Sudan’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity at the UN Security Council by emphasizing that there is no military solution to the ongoing civil war and its military deal of 1,5 Billion dollars to supply weapons and jets to the Sudanese Armed Forces on the other. Though this translation was announced as canceled earlier in the year videos circulating of Pakistani APCs in Kartoum raise serious questions about the reality on the ground.