CSW calls on Pakistan to repeal blasphemy laws

Blasphemy laws in Pakistan are being used as a tool to settle personal vendettas or pursue extremist agendas, says an advocacy group supporting persecuted Christians.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide's call coincided with the anniversary on Sunday of deadly attacks on the Christian community in Gojra and Korian, in Punjab Province.

Eight people were killed in the attacks by Muslim extremists, including six who burned to death in their house. Extremists claimed the Christians had committed blasphemy. One year on, the perpetrators have still not been brought to justice and Christians continue to face attacks over alleged blasphemy offences.

Last month, two pastors were shot dead by masked gunmen outside a court in Faisalabad while in police custody. Rashid and Sajid Emmanuel had been accused of blasphemy against the Prophet Mohammed, but initial investigations concluded that the accusations had been fabricated.

Minister for Minorities Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti spoke out strongly against the misuse of the blasphemy laws in the days following the shooting, prompting threats against his life by an extremist Muslim cleric in Sindh.

CSW's National Director Stuart Windsor said Islamists from outside the affected areas were involved in the recent attacks and that mosque loudspeakers had been used to incite violence on the basis of the accusations.

"The blasphemy laws are a danger to all Pakistanis and an affront to the rule of law, particularly sections 295B and C [which prohibit defiling the Koran and defaming Prophet Mohammed]," he said.

"This legislation is now freely wielded as a tool with which to spread fear. We call upon the Government of Pakistan to repeal the blasphemy laws and to ensure justice is done for all victims."

On Saturday, Pakistani Christians living in the UK joined in a multi-faith rally to protest the killings and “bring pressure for cultural and social change in Pakistan”.

Organisers said they hoped there would be “greater Western government intervention towards peace" in Pakistan where they said the volatile political and cultural climate was making life so much worse for minority groups.

Led by the former Bishop of Rochester, the Rt Rev Michael Nazir Ali, the rally ended with petitions being handed over to the High Commission and at Downing Street.