In 2000, a Lahore high court judge publicly stated that Muslims have a religious obligation to kill anyone accused of blasphemy on the spot, with no need for legal proceedings. Despite a later retraction, this statement shows the degree of violence surrounding the issue of blasphemy.
[1]
Abstract
Pakistan has codified some of the world’s most draconian anti
blasphemy laws, which can carry a life sentence or the death penalty. While
there have been no official executions for blasphemy (http://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2014/10/blasphemy-pakistan-and-ireland) , extremists have
frequently murdered the accused before, during or after adjudication… even
after an acquittal. A vastly disproportionate number of cases involve the
Ahmadi and Christian minorities, who are particularly vulnerable, since in
blasphemy cases, their testimonies count for less than that of Muslims. Mobs,
whipped into hysteria by blasphemy accusations broadcast from mosques, have
assaulted typically with impunity, the accused, their families and their coreligionists,
attacking houses of worship, homes and destroying entire villages.
In Punjab in 2009, after an unfounded assertion that a Qur’an
had been desecrated, at least seven Christians were burned alive and over fifty
houses torched. Reports indicated that groups linked to Al- Qaeda were
involved. Muslim reformers are also targeted and silenced.[2]
Author Younus Shaikh was sentenced to life in prison for “deviating from the teachings of the Qur’an” by criticising the act of stoning for adultery. Whilst campaigners have called for the rescinding of blasphemy laws, public opinion and entrenched extremism prevents them from acting.[3]
Much of the Credit goes to Paul Marshall & Nina Shea, I've borrowed their references for the purpose of raising awareness.
Author Younus Shaikh was sentenced to life in prison for “deviating from the teachings of the Qur’an” by criticising the act of stoning for adultery. Whilst campaigners have called for the rescinding of blasphemy laws, public opinion and entrenched extremism prevents them from acting.[3]
Pakistan?
The most popular explanation of the name “Pakistan” involves
a combination of Persian and Urdu. The
suffix –stan means “to stand or stay” whilst “Pak” implies a state of purity.
Therefore, Pakistan is essentially referred to as “The Land of Pure”.
Blasphemy Laws
After
the separation of Bangladesh in the 1970s, the prime minister strengthened ties
with the Gulf States in attempt to boost trade prospects. He eventually
outlawed gambling, night clubs and alcohol. He planned to implement sharia but
was hanged on murder charges in 1979. His deposition was led by General Zia
ul-Haq. It was under Zia that Pakistan’s notorious blasphemy laws were
introduced. Until then, the penal code had only criminalised the
injuring or defiling of a place of worship with the intent to “insult the
religion of any class".[4]
Section
298-A: Added in 1980,
it stipulates: “whoever by words, either
spoken or written, or by visible representation, or by any innuendo or
insinuation, directly or indirectly, defiles the sacred name of any wife, or
members of the family of the Holy prophet shall be punished with imprisonment
of either description for a term which may extend to three years, or with fine
or both”.
Sections 295-B and
C are
specifically directed against Ahmadis.
Section
295-B: Added in 1982, requires: “Whoever
wishfully defiles, damages or desecrates a copy of the holy Qur’an or of an
extract therefrom, or uses it in any derogatory manner or for any unlawful
purpose, shall be punishable with imprisonment for life”.
Section
295-C: Added in 1986, requires: “Whoever
by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representation, or by any
imputation, innuendo or insinuation, directly or indirectly, defiles the sacred
name of the Holy prophet shall be punished with death, or imprisonment for
life, and shall also be liable to fine”. The stakes were upped in 1990 when the
Federal Shariat Court ruled: “The penalty
for contempt of the Holy prophet… is death and nothing else.”
In
principle, this is not binding but the government has not yet amended the law
which means that the provision for a life sentence still formally exists.[5]
In Pakistan, as in other countries with blasphemy laws,
people can, in practice be charged with any range of vague offences, such as
“damaging religious feelings”. Rules of evidence are commonly violated, and the
laws are frequently used to settle private disputes, grudges, and vendettas.
During blasphemy hearings, religious extremists often pack courthouses and
threaten the accused, especially if there is the possibility of an acquittal.
To make matters worse, in a vicious ratchet effect, those who question the
blasphemy laws can then themselves be accused of questioning Islam, thus
becoming suspects under the very law that they have challenged. Ill-defined blasphemy
laws are utilised in a plethora of contexts against Muslims and Non-Muslims.
[1] Briefing Pakistan: religious freedom update September 2004 P.5
[2]
Inter Press Service, August 25, 2009, http://www.ipsnews.net/2009/08/rights-pakistan-attacks-on-christians-spotlight-blasphemy-laws/
Re-emergence of Violence Against Christians in
Pakistan,” Report and
Analysis by NCJP, August 4, 2009.
[3]
Pakistan:
Author gets life term for "blasphemy" http://www.rationalistinternational.net/article/2005/20050819_en_1.html
[4]
Section
295 Pakistan Penal Code in Criminal
major acts Edition March 2002. See Barends, “Sharia in Pakistan” p. 65-85.
[5]
International Religious Freedom
Report
2007, U.S. State Department, Bureau of Democracy,
Human Rights, and Labour, http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2007/90233.htm. Much of the Credit goes to Paul Marshall & Nina Shea, I've borrowed their references for the purpose of raising awareness.
