Geneva

On the sidelines of the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD) organised a three-day photo exhibition in Geneva highlighting alleged human rights abuses and the deteriorating condition of minorities in Pakistan.

The exhibition, held at the Broken Chair Monument, showcased photographs and visual documentation depicting hardships faced by religious and ethnic minorities, including Hindus, Christians, Sindhis and Balochs.

The displays also focused on alleged oppression in Balochistan, highlighting cases of enforced disappearances of young individuals, forced conversions of minorities and arrests of several political leaders, including Mahrang Baloch.

According to the organisers, the exhibition aimed to draw international attention to what they described as systemic discrimination and political repression affecting these communities. It also included photographs depicting the condition of minorities in Bangladesh.

Several panels also addressed Pakistan’s alleged support for terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. Visual materials referenced incidents of cross-border militancy and violence, including the Pahalgam attack 2025. Photographs of victims and scenes from the attack were displayed to highlight the threat posed by militant networks operating from Pakistani territory.

The exhibition also highlighted the issue of enforced disappearances in Balochistan, where victims are sometimes released after detention while others remain missing or are reported to have been killed.

According to the organisers, the continued reports of arbitrary arrests and lack of accountability have deepened insecurity and distrust among the local population, undermining efforts to restore peace and justice in the region.

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Headquartered in The Hague in the Netherlands, Global Human Rights Defence is an international non-governmental organisation that advocates for the protection of human rights globally, particularly focusing on communities where ethnic, linguistic and religious minorities face persistent violations.