Christian Persecution in Pakistan:

ASIA/PAKISTAN - False accusations of blasphemy against a Christian, the court invites him to "leave the country"

Lahore (Agenzia Fides) - A Christian high school teacher has suffered false accusations of blasphemy by a student and some Muslim professors, because of dislike, revenge and hatred towards Christians. He was forced to leave his job and hide, he appealed to Court, but the laconic sentence of the judge of first instance invited him to "leave the country". It is the story reported by Fides sources in the Christian community in Punjab, that ask for anonymity for security reasons. The story - explains the source of Fides - is emblematic to give the idea of the conditions of violence and discrimination suffered every day by religious minorities, and brings attention to the abuses of the so-called "blasphemy law", used to attack Christians.
The case of Javed Masih (fantasy name) occurred in recent days in a city of Punjab, which Fides prefers not to make public, given the risks of the man's life: hunted down by extremists, and could be executed at any moment and therefore is forced to hide. Javed is 40 years old, married and father of 3 children: his life is now ruined and devastated and, note the sources of Fides, will be forced to rebuild his life elsewhere, perhaps changing identity.
Javed taught in a public school, attended by mostly Muslim students. One of them, often reprimanded by Javed for study reasons, turned to other Muslim teachers. Together they organized a cahoot to discredit and throw Javed out: they burned pages of the Koran, accusing Javed of profane gesture. From that day on Javed was forced to resign, but continued to receive threats and insults, even at home. Given the dangers, he moved to a secret place with his family.
However, trusting in the judicial system of Pakistan, Javed wanted to present an appeal to the Court of First Instance, to prove his innocence. Fides sources report the negative outcome of the appeal: "Not only the court has not cleared him, has not issued an order to stop the extremists, but has also strongly advised him to leave the country. Coming from an organ that is supposed to represent justice in Pakistan, it is paradoxical. It is the proof of the helplessness of the system, unable to protect the rights of religious minorities. It is the proof of the subordination of the Courts to Islamic fundamentalist groups. And it is the proof of the State's responsibility in the persecution of innocent Christians, for whom justice is only a mirage". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 15/09/2011)

ASIA/PAKISTAN - The Commission "Justice and Peace": "the UN envoy is invited to Pakistan, we need to abolish the blasphemy law"

Lahore (Agenzia Fides) - The Commission "Justice and Peace" of the Pakistani Bishops have invited the UN Special Observer on religious Tolerance to visit Pakistan to see the "abuses and violence against religious minorities" and call on the Pakistani government to abolish the so-called "blasphemy law". This is what the new Report, titled "Human Rights Monitor 2011", confirms, of which a copy was sent to Fides, which draws an alarming picture concerning the plight of religious minorities, and Christians in Pakistan today.
"The year 2010-2011 was a 'black year' for minorities: simply remember the murder of Shahbaz Bhatti. But there is greater attention on behalf of the international community and media on these issues. This gives us hope, but also requires a continual verification of reports and investigation on cases that the Commission carries out continuously, and scrupulously", says Peter Jacob, Executive Secretary of the Justice and Peace Commission, the organ of the Episcopal Conference of Pakistan, commenting on the report.
According to the data contained in the vast Report (145 pages) sent to Fides, religious minorities in Pakistan are victims of religious intolerance and social discrimination. They suffer attacks on churches and institutions; hostile religious propaganda, which stirs up hatred; blatant violation of religious freedom; forced conversions, forced expropriation of land and property. All this happens because in Pakistan - says the Report - "there are laws that violate the rights of minorities such as blasphemy" and because there is often "abuse of power by the police force and powerful politicians".
Touching the "sore spot" of the blasphemy law, the Report cites at least 40 people charged with blasphemy, including 15 Christians, 10 Muslims, 7 Hindus and 6 Ahmadi. Between 1986 (the year when the law came into force) and 2011, those accused of blasphemy and murdered in extrajudicial killings have been 37, including 18 Christians and 16 Muslims. In the same period were 1081 were charged with blasphemy: among them 138 Christians, 468 Muslims, 454 Ahmadis, 21 Hindus.
The Report also dedicated a section to "crimes against women," denouncing the lack of policies for their social advancement. In particular, women belonging to religious minorities are considered "objects" and are victims of murder, violence, rapes, kidnappings, forced conversions and marriages: The report describes in detail at least 15 examples.
Among the recommendations, "Justice and Peace," asks the government "urgent changes in laws and public policies" to eliminate discriminatory laws against minorities and "to ensure civil, social, economic, cultural and religious rights ", providing "a framework full of respect for fundamental human rights". This is why we need "to repeal the blasphemy law and compensate the victims." In addition, the establishment of two permament Commissions are asked, one for Human Rights and one for Religious Minorities, with powers of Court, and the task of monitoring the situation. To this end, the Commission also invites the UN Special Observer on religious Tolerance to visit Pakistan. A point is also about "the necessary modification of the education system in Pakistan", which adversely influences the younger generation and tends to assimilate religious minorities. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 15/09/2011)

ASIA/PAKISTAN - Asia Bibi was sentenced to death by a court "influenced by Islamic extremists" and "without a lawyer"

Lahore (Agenzia Fides) - There is more than a shadow on the case of Asia Bibi, a 40-year old Christian woman, who was sentenced to death for blasphemy. Asia was judged by a court "under the obvious pressure of Islamic extremists", and "for personal vendetta". In addition there is an obvious procedural irregularity: during the investigations and preliminary interrogations, conducted by the police after the complaint, Asia did not have a lawyer: for this reason the whole trial could be invalidated. This is what is stated in a note sent to Fides by the influential Muslim study Centre "Jinnah Institute" in Karachi. Named after the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the institute is a "think tank" composed of Muslim intellectuals and chaired by the parliamentary Sherry Rehman. She carries out her research in the field of law, human rights, rule of law and promotes the establishment of a democratic and secular Pakistan, as desired by Ali Jinnah.
The note by the "Jinnah Institute" on Asia Bibi brings attention to the case of the woman who for over a year languishes in the prisons in Sheikhupura in Punjab. Even Pope Benedict XVI launched an appeal for her release in November 2010. The lawyer, now guaranteed by the "Masihi Foundation" - who has taken charge of her case - is preparing the application for appeal to the High Court, but there is also the possibility of presidential forgiveness. Her story is behind the murders of Salman Taseer, Governor of Punjab, and Shabhaz Bhatti, federal Minister for religious minorities, who had defended her.
The Jinnah Institute reports that from the outset, Asia Bibi's court case was marred by irregularities and manipulations. The "National Commission on the Status of Women", after a meeting with Asia Bibi in jail, found that "only 8 days after the alleged incident - in which Asia pronounced blasphemous sentences - Qari Muhammad Salim, a local Muslim religious leader, using three women as witnesses, was able to register an official First Information Report FIR on the basis of which Asia was arrested". During the 8 days allegations against Asia had been orchestrated. These suspicious circumstances - note the Jinnah Institute - are described in the Report written by Shabhaz Bhatti and Salman Taseer and delivered to the President of Pakistan, Ali Zardari. The Report highlights that "the judge sentenced her due to pressures by Islamic extremists, ignoring the true facts". These pressures are deleterious to the system, notes The Jinnah Institute, recalling the murder of the Lahore High Court judge, Arif Iqbal Bhatti, who was killed in 1997 when he issued an acquittal towards two Christian boys, Salamat and Rehmat Masih, sentenced to death for blasphemy in 1995 by a court of first instance. In addition, during the period of investigation and interrogation before the trial, Asia Bibi had not been granted the right, enshrined in the constitution, of legal assistance: a serious matter, sufficient to invalidate the verdict. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 15/09/2011)

 

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