2012-09-22 16:54:17

WCC hearing urges Pakistan to end blasphemy law abuses


(September 22, 2012) An international hearing sponsored by the World Council of Churches (WCC) has called on Pakistan to end abuse of the nation's blasphemy law, which leads to major human rights violations for religious minorities. At the Sept. 17-19 hearing in Geneva, Switzerland, speakers from a variety of faith backgrounds examined the blasphemy law of Pakistan’s Penal Code. That law, as amended in the 1980s, has been criticized for its vague wording and arbitrary enforcement, leading to mob violence as well as the death penalty for those found guilty of defaming the prophet Muhammad or the Quran. Among the speakers were Mohammad Tahseen, human rights activist and director of the South Asia Partnership in Pakistan, and Bishop Samuel Azariah, moderator of the Church of Pakistan. A communiqué issued by the group on Sept. 19 called on the Pakistani government to “constitute a competent Inquiry Commission immediately to look into the tragic consequences of the blasphemy law and suggest a way out of this difficult and embarrassing situation.” “Tinkering with procedural amendments” has failed to solve the problems surrounding “a law that is inherently susceptible to abuse,” it said. Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit, general secretary of the World Council of Churches, said, “it is high time that the international community should address this issue with urgency.” “Reports from Pakistan reveal the fact that repression, intolerance, and fear have become the order of the day in many parts of the country,” he observed, warning that the misuse of the law is “used to target different minority communities” in the country. The public hearing coincided with the 21st Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva and included a side event at that gathering. Speakers emphasized the importance of free speech and the critical role of religious leaders in preventing abuse of the laws. “When the state and constitution make preference on the basis of religion, they end up violating the rights of their citizens,” said Peter Jacob, executive director of the National Commission for Justice and Peace of Pakistan Catholic Bishops Conference. “The discrimination we find in the constitution and state policies translates into extremism and general intolerance in the society,” he explained.
Pakistan’s blasphemy law made headlines in August when a young Christian girl, Rimsha Masih, with Down Syndrome was arrested for allegedly burning pages from the Quran. Faced with international attention, the girl was released on bail, but had to be taken to a secret location amid fears for her safety.







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