Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, has expressed grave concern about the treatment of Hindu and Christian women in Pakistan. Ms Villiers has a track record going back many years of campaigning for freedom of religion and spoke on this issue in the Westminster Hall debating Chamber in Parliament today.
She told MPs: "In Pakistan, there are frequent examples of Christian and Hindu girls suffering forced conversion, as Aid to the Church in Need documented in its 2021 report “Hear Her Cries”."
"Blasphemy can be punished by death in Pakistan. Allegations that are malicious, vindictive and without substance are often made."
"Insight UK reports that Hindu temples have been attacked and vandalised. At the time of partition in 1947, there were approximately 400 Hindu temples in the Sindh region of Pakistan; there are now barely 20."
"Amnesty International has highlighted attacks on Hindu and Christian women in Pakistan and has called on the Pakistan Government to keep the promise made in August 1947 by one of the country’s founders, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, that religious freedom would be protected."
Speaking after the debate, Ms Villiers said "Thankfully the world has started to wake up to the fact that Christians are under attack in many countries around the world. But there is still far too little awareness of persecution of Hindus."
"The reports of young Hindu girls and women in Pakistan abducted, raped and forcibly converted are horrific. The area covered by modern Pakistan was once home to a thriving an ancient population of Hindus dating back to the Indus Valley civilisation more than 3000 years ago. It is a tragedy that this population has declined drastically as a result of violent attacks."
"This debate was an important opportunity to speak up for Christians, Hindus, and all minorities subjected to violent or unfair treatment because of their religious beliefs."
Prior to the debate, Theresa was provided with information from Insight UK, who carry our research and advocacy on issues of importance to the British Indian and British Hindu community.
