Parliamentarians condemn abduction, forced conversion, marriage of Pakistani child

Arzoo on her First Communion day

Source: APPG

A cross party group of British parliamentarians have condemned the abduction, forced conversion and forced marriage of a 13 year old Christian girl in Karachi, Pakistan.

On 13 October 2020, a 13 year-old Christian girl Arzoo Raja, was abducted from a street near her home in Karachi, forced to convert to Islam and marry the abductor, a 43 years old Muslim man. A particularly worrying issue is that despite her family producing a National Database and Registration Authority birth certificate showing Arzoo to be 13-years-old, the authorities failed to stop the illegal marriage.

Abductions, forced conversions and forced marriages of girls and women from the minorities background has become a serious concern in Pakistan. It is estimated that approximately 1,000 mostly Hindu and Christian girls, are abducted, forcibly converted and forcibly married every year.

Lord Alton, the APPG Co-Chair said: "This is a horrific crime which no culture or religion can justify. It is incomprehensible how a 13 year old can make life changing decision like converting to a different religion and want to marry a 43 years old man. We remind the Pakistani Government about its obligations under its constitution and human rights laws to protect its minorities. Our sympathies lie with Arzoo Raja and her parents. We will raise this issue with the UK Government, with the UN and other international human rights organisations."