Christian minority of Anglo-Indians

Concerning M.C. (represented by counsel, Helge Nørrung) vs Denmark for violation of articles 1, 2, 3, 5 and 16 of CEDAW.

The author is a Pakistani national belonging to a Christian minority of Anglo-Indians. She claimed that she had always been subjected to discrimination as a Christian woman, referring to verbal and physical assaults in public. Her daughter, M.S., had also been sexually harassed by a Muslim man, A. The daughter had applied for asylum in Denmark but her claim was rejected.

The Board found that the author herself had not been subjected to harassment from the man who allegedly had harassed her daughter and that the general situation for Christians in Pakistan was not of such a nature that the author should be considered persecuted under Danish asylum law. Thus a complaint was sent to CEDAW.

Considering that the author provided no explanation as to how the harassment of her children would constitute a personal risk to her, the Committee considers that the author has failed to sufficiently substantiate, for the purposes of admissibility.

22. July 2021

CEDAW 56/2013
  • Decision: 9. November 2015
  • Comm: Gender