We are alarmed by the increase in cases of forced conversion in Pakistan. This trend is overwhelmingly affecting young Christian and Hindu girls, who are often raped and forced to marry Muslims against their will. The large majority of cases are occurring in Punjab. We estimate that there are hundreds of cases each year but many simply go unreported because of fear, and those that do come to light are treated with indifference by police. Here are some recent examples: Sidra Bibi, 14, was abducted and raped by a Muslim in her village in the Sheikhpura district in Punjab. Her abductor threatened to kill her and Sidra became pregnant as a result of the abuse. She managed to escape from her abductor and find her way back to the family home. She and her family attempted to lodge a complaint with the police but they refused to accept it. Now CLAAS lawyers have taken up the case in a bid to bring justice to Sidra and her family over their terrible ordeal. Tina Barkat, 28, was befriended by a Muslim girl who, after several months, asked her to convert to Islam. She was kidnapped by the friend’s family and given in marriage to a male member of the family against Tina’s will. Lawyers are pursuing the dissolution of the marriage. Samina Ayub, a 17-year-old from a small town near Lahore, was kidnapped by a Muslim and forced to convert to Islam, renamed Fatima Bibi, and forced to marry according to Muslim rites. The abduction was reported to police but they have failed to take action against the kidnapper and Samina remains in his possession. Shazia Bibi, a 19-year-old from Gujranwala, in Punjab, worked as a maid for the Muslim owner of a grocery store. A boy working at the shop fell in love with her and she was forced to marry him. Shazia’s family have succeeded in taking the case to court. Uzma Bibi, 15, from Gulberg, and Saira Bibi, 20, from Lahore, were kidnapped by Muslim neighbours and forced to convert to Islam and marry according to Muslim rites. The families have managed to reclaim their daughters and the cases are before the High Court in Lahore. CLAAS is providing legal representation to both girls. CLAAS UK Coordinator, Nasir Saeed said: “The victims of forced marriages and conversions are often girls from poor backgrounds who are then subjected to harrowing and extremely traumatic ordeals. They are extremely vulnerable and unable to defend themselves against men who are not afraid to use violence to abduct them and make them marry against their will. The police and Government must acknowledge what is happening and start working from the local to national level to stop this abuse.”