Geneva, Sept. 7 -- United Nations experts on Sunday expressed grave concern over continuing reports of persecution of members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Pakistan, calling on authorities to ensure their protection and uphold the country's human rights obligations.

According to an official release, the experts said, "We are deeply concerned by persistent reports that members of the Ahmadiyya community continue to face harassment, criminal prosecution, violence, and exclusion because of their religious identity."

"Every individual has the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief. No one should be subjected to discrimination, intimidation, or violence, nor should they be prevented from peacefully manifesting the...