WCC international hearing on plight of religious minorities in Pakistan

(August 24, 2012) The World Council of Churches has convoked an international public hearing next month in Geneva, Switzerland, to highlight the plight of religious minorities and misuse of blasphemy law in Pakistan. The Geneva-based ecumenical fellowship that brings together 349 Orthodox and Western Churches, will hold the hearing from September 17 – 19, in conjunction with the 21st Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. The WCC said Christians in Pakistan have been victims of blasphemy law which also included children. Police in Islamabad arrested a Christian girl, Rimsha Masih last week, under accusation by her Muslim neighbours of burning texts from Islam’s holy book, the Quran. On Tuesday, police in Faisalabad found the horribly mutilated body of a 14-year old Christian boy, Suneed Masih, two days after his disappearance. The WCC said the September hearing is one of its continuing efforts to support and be in solidarity with religious minorities in Pakistan who are victimized in the name of its controversial blasphemy law. The event will engage the international community, representatives of religious minorities and civil society organizations in Pakistan, specialised ministries, UN officials and representatives of international civil society organizations working on the rights of religious minority communities in Pakistan, the WCC said.