On the abduction, forced conversion and child marriage of Maria Shahbaz and the protection of girls in Pakistan
B-10-2026-0347
on behalf of the ESN Group · Rapporteur: Tomasz Froelich, Petr Bystron, Marc Jongen
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This resolution addresses the abduction, forced conversion and child marriage of Maria Shahbaz in Pakistan and calls for action to protect girls from such abuses.¶¶¶ It expresses solidarity with victims, urges Pakistan to ensure the return of abducted girls and prosecute offenders, and calls for stronger child protection laws and judicial safeguards.¶¶¶ It also links the case to broader patterns in Pakistan and Europe, encouraging EU states to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to sex crimes and expel foreign national child offenders.¶¶
Key points
- Expresses solidarity with victims and families affected by forced marriages and conversions.¶
- Considers Maria Shahbaz's case part of a widespread pattern of abduction, forced conversion and marriage of girls from religious minorities in Pakistan.¶
- Calls on Pakistan to ensure the immediate and safe return of abducted girls and to prosecute those using religious conversion for abduction.¶
- Calls on Pakistan to enforce child protection and anti-child-marriage laws, including raising the minimum marriage age.¶
- Encourages Pakistan to enact judicial safeguards prioritizing age determination, free consent and protection from intimidation.¶
- Emphasizes that the UK child sexual exploitation scandal shows the danger of uncontrolled mass migration and encourages EU states to tackle sex crimes and expel foreign national child offenders.¶
Who is affected
- Girls in Pakistan, particularly from Christian and Hindu minorities, who face abduction, forced conversion and child marriage.¶
- The Pakistani government, which is called on to improve law enforcement and judicial safeguards.¶¶¶
- EU member states, which are encouraged to adopt a zero-tolerance approach to sex crimes and expel foreign national child offenders.¶