Following the release of the Religious
Freedom 2026 and Persecution and Discrimination against Christians 2026
yearbooks in Berlin, Sardar Mushtaq Gill, Human Rights Defender, Lawyer, and
Founder of LEAD Ministries, calls upon global Christian leaders, churches, and
international institutions to strengthen their commitment to defending
persecuted Christian communities, particularly in Pakistan and other
Muslim-majority countries. He urges church leaders to use their pulpits not
only for prayers but also as platforms for courageous advocacy, public
awareness, and concrete action; to stand firmly and publicly with Christians
persecuted solely because of their faith; to support victims and their
families, pursue justice and accountability, and address the religious
teachings, extremist interpretations, and incitement used to justify
anti-Christian persecution. He emphasizes that prayer must be accompanied by
practical solidarity and that Christian leadership must translate its faith and
moral responsibility into meaningful action for the protection, dignity, and
freedom of persecuted Christians.
By Sardar Mushtaq Gill | Human
Rights Defender & Lawyer | Founder & International Advocacy Director,
LEAD Ministries
Commenting on the release of the
yearbooks Religious Freedom 2026 and Persecution and Discrimination
against Christians 2026 in Berlin on November 3, 2026, Sardar Mushtaq
Gill welcomed the efforts of the International Institute for Religious Freedom
and other human rights advocates in documenting violations of religious freedom
and bringing international attention to the persecution of Christians and other
religious minorities.
He emphasized that documenting
persecution is an essential contribution to human rights advocacy, but
documentation must lead to meaningful action, sustained international
engagement, and practical support for those whose fundamental rights are being
violated.
Prioritizing the Suffering of
Christian Communities
Gill expressed particular concern
about the continuing situation of Christians in Pakistan and other
Muslim-majority countries, where Christian minorities face serious challenges,
including blasphemy accusations, forced conversions, forced marriages of Christian
girls and women, abductions, mob violence, attacks on churches, discrimination
in employment and education, and social exclusion.
He stressed that vulnerable
Christian families, particularly women and children, frequently face
difficulties obtaining justice, legal protection, and effective support.
“Our responsibility is to stand in
solidarity with persecuted Christian communities, listen to their suffering,
address their grievances, support victims and their families, and raise our
voices wherever their fundamental rights are violated. Christian communities
facing persecution need more than expressions of sympathy; they need consistent
advocacy, meaningful solidarity, and practical assistance,” Gill stated.
He clarified that prioritizing the
protection of persecuted Christians does not mean disregarding the rights of
people belonging to other religions. Rather, the defense of human rights
requires equal respect for everyone while ensuring that the particular
suffering of Christian minorities receives the attention, recognition, and
representation it deserves.
Strengthening Transparency,
Accountability and Collective Action for the Liberation of Bonded Labourers in
Pakistan
Gill also highlighted the economic
vulnerability of Christian communities in Pakistan, noting that many Christian
families face poverty, unemployment, limited educational opportunities,
religious discrimination, and social exclusion.
He urged churches, Christian
organizations, and humanitarian institutions working among vulnerable
communities to strengthen collaboration, information sharing, transparency, and
mutual accountability, particularly in their efforts to liberate Christian families
trapped in bonded labour at brick kilns.
Gill emphasized that transparency,
documentation, and independent verification are essential components of
credible humanitarian work. He noted that reports concerning the release of
bonded labourers should be supported by appropriate documentation, clear
financial information, and details of rehabilitation efforts. Such transparency
strengthens public confidence, encourages cooperation among Christian
organizations, and ensures that humanitarian initiatives remain accountable to
the vulnerable families they seek to serve.
He observed that presenting
achievements without adequate supporting evidence or transparent financial
information can undermine public confidence, weaken cooperation among Christian
organizations, and ultimately affect their shared mission and commitment to
securing freedom for bonded labourers.
He therefore called for a
coordinated and trustworthy approach covering the identification of bonded
labourers, legal intervention, release, safe relocation, rehabilitation,
livelihood assistance, children's education, and regular follow-up to prevent
families from falling back into bondage.
“Our priority must be the genuine
welfare and long-term freedom of affected families. Christian organizations
should work together with honesty, openness, and mutual respect, sharing
relevant information, documenting their activities, and welcoming independent
verification. Every claim of liberation must be supported by credible evidence and
a transparent account of the assistance provided.
“Securing the release of a family
from a brick kiln is only the beginning; ensuring that the family can live
independently, safely, and with dignity is the real measure of success. We must
strengthen one another's efforts, avoid unnecessary organizational divisions,
and ensure that humanitarian resources reach those for whom they are intended.
Genuine church growth and Christian witness in Pakistan are demonstrated not
merely through establishing congregations but also through serving suffering
people, liberating vulnerable families, restoring human dignity, and creating
opportunities for education, independence, and a hopeful future,” Gill stated.
Christian Pulpits Must Become
Platforms for Advocacy and Action
Gill called upon pastors, bishops,
church leaders, and Christian institutions worldwide to recognize their
responsibility to speak publicly and consistently for persecuted Christians.
He emphasized that churches have an
important role beyond spiritual guidance and prayer. Their leadership,
influence, and international networks can help bring attention to forgotten
victims, mobilize support, and encourage governments and human rights institutions
to take meaningful action.
“Use your pulpits not only for
prayers but also for concrete steps to defend persecuted Christians. Speak
about their suffering, stand publicly with victims, support their families, and
demand justice. Do not hesitate to stand with Christians who are persecuted
solely because of their faith. Prayer is essential, but it must be accompanied
by courageous advocacy, practical solidarity, and a commitment to protecting
human dignity,” Gill said.
He further observed that Christian
leaders should ensure that their institutional relationships, public positions,
and international engagements remain consistent with their responsibility to
defend vulnerable Christian communities and promote religious freedom.
Addressing the Root Causes of
Anti-Christian Persecution
Gill also called for a more serious
and comprehensive examination of the religious, ideological, political, and
social factors contributing to anti-Christian persecution, particularly in
Pakistan and other Muslim-majority societies.
He argued that condemning
individual incidents of violence is not sufficient unless the underlying causes
and narratives that encourage hostility against Christians are also addressed.
He urged Christian theologians,
researchers, religious freedom organizations, and human rights institutions to
examine how particular interpretations of religious texts, teachings, and
extremist doctrines are used by individuals and groups to justify discrimination,
forced conversions, violence, and the denial of equal rights to Christians.
“Those who defend religious freedom
must have the courage to address difficult questions. Where particular
religious interpretations, teachings, or ideological narratives are used to
encourage hatred, justify violence, or promote the subordination of Christians,
these matters must be examined openly and honestly. We must identify the
sources of incitement and challenge them through research, evidence, dialogue,
and universal human rights principles,” Gill emphasized.
He added that such criticism must
focus on specific teachings, interpretations, extremist ideologies, and
individuals responsible for incitement, rather than collectively blaming entire
religious communities or holding ordinary believers responsible for the actions
of extremist individuals and groups.
Gill stressed that genuine
interfaith dialogue should not avoid difficult realities but should encourage
mutual respect, equal citizenship, freedom of religion, and the protection of
vulnerable minorities.
Protecting Christian Women, Girls,
Men and Boys from Exploitation and Abuse
Gill expressed serious concern
about the vulnerability of Christian women, girls, men, and boys in Pakistan,
who may face abduction, forced conversions, forced marriages, sexual violence,
exploitation, discrimination, and denial of justice. He particularly
highlighted the misuse of blasphemy accusations, including fabricated
allegations, blackmail, intimidation, and attempts to damage the reputation and
security of innocent Christians.
He also raised concerns about
social media manipulation, deceptive online relationships, and alleged
honey-trapping schemes, through which individuals may be lured using fake
identities or misleading communications and subsequently threatened with false blasphemy
accusations, extortion, public humiliation, or other forms of abuse.
Gill called for impartial
investigations, proper examination of digital evidence, legal accountability,
and effective protection for victims and their families.
He urged Christian organizations,
lawyers, and international human rights institutions to address these abuses
through legal assistance, awareness, digital safety education, and sustained
advocacy, while raising their voices for speedy investigations, fair trials,
and timely justice for victims.
He emphasized that every Christian,
regardless of gender or age, deserves protection, dignity, justice, and equal
treatment under the law.
A Call for International Solidarity
and Accountability
Gill urged international Christian
organizations, churches, parliamentarians, lawyers, journalists, academics, and
human rights defenders to strengthen cooperation in protecting persecuted
Christian communities.
He identified several essential
priorities:
- Strengthening
legal protection for Christian minorities and vulnerable religious
communities.
- Supporting
victims of forced conversions, forced marriages, religiously motivated
violence, and discrimination.
- Documenting
violations through independent research and reliable evidence.
- Addressing
religious extremism and incitement that contribute to anti-Christian
persecution.
- Demanding
accountability from authorities and individuals responsible for human
rights violations.
- Providing
practical assistance, legal support, and protection to affected families.
- Ensuring
that persecuted Christians have a voice in international discussions on
religious freedom.
Gill emphasized that international
solidarity must be consistent and guided by universal human rights principles
rather than political interests or institutional convenience. He also stressed
that cooperation, transparency, and mutual accountability among Christian
organizations are essential to building trust and achieving sustainable results
for vulnerable communities.
Commitment to Religious Freedom and
Human Dignity
Concluding his remarks, Gill
reaffirmed his commitment, through LEAD Ministries, to advocating for
persecuted Christians, defending religious minorities, and raising
international awareness of violations of freedom of religion or belief.
He stressed that religious freedom
must be defended not merely through reports, conferences, and declarations but
through courageous leadership, practical assistance, international cooperation,
transparency, and sustained efforts to secure justice.
“Religious freedom is a fundamental
human right, and defending it requires courage, consistency, and action.
Christian leaders must stand with persecuted communities, particularly those in
Pakistan and other Muslim-majority countries, identify the causes of their
suffering, and work for meaningful protection and justice. Let our pulpits
become voices for the voiceless, our institutions become instruments of
justice, and our solidarity become a source of hope for Christians who suffer
because of their faith,” Gill concluded.
