Refugee Claims from Pakistan -the Marginalization and Persecution of Progressive Voices

Pakistan is facing growing religious extremism, which is affecting the freedom of expression of liberal and secular individuals. The country's blasphemy laws are being used to stifle discussion and dissent, leading to a shrinking space for progressive views. This has resulted in persecution and a lack of state protection for such individuals. The use of blasphemy laws has created a vicious feedback loop with religious extremism, making it difficult for those facing suppression to express their opinions. In this climate, a claim for refugee protection is likely to succeed for similarly situated individuals. Liberal and secular individuals in Pakistan have a thin margin of error. That margin of error has been shrinking of late. There is a reason that Pakistan has consistently been a refugee producing country. It has one of the lengthiest National Documentation Package (NDP) up on the IRB site. Our Canadian government has the following to say about Canadians visiting Pakistan. Of course generalizations should be avoided. Country condition reports will never encapsulate or provide us with the reality of life in any country. Liberal, secular and "western" influence "is pervasive in many parts of Pakistan, particularly in large urban centres...Many Pakistanis have relatives in western countries... Read more →