Maira Shahbaz

Gender: Female

Perpetrator: Pakistan

Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: April//2020

Date of Release: August//2020

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Forced Renunciation of Faith

Reason for Persecution: Children’s Rights Religious Activity Religious Belief

Nature of Charges: Not Applicable

Maira Shahbaz

Extra Bio Info:

Maira Shahbaz was forced to renounce her faith.

In late April 2020, Shahbaz - 14 years old at the time - was abducted at gunpoint by three men and forced to convert religions and marry one of her abductors.  Her family subsequently filed suit challenging her abductor's marriage documents that claimed Shahbaz was 19 years old.

On July 30, 2020, the Faisalabad District and Sessions Court ordered that Shahbaz be placed in a women's shelter until her case is heard by the Lahore High Court. 

On August 4, 2020, the Lahore High Court ordered that Shahbaz be returned to her abductor's custody. 

Later in August 2020, Shahbaz reunited with her family after escaping from her abductor.  She reportedly said that her abductor had threatened to kill her family and release videos of her being sexually assaulted if she refused his demands.  She and her family are now reportedly in hiding.

Sources: