All articles tagged with #blasphemy laws
Pakistan has banned the hard-line Islamist party Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) following violent clashes and protests, citing its involvement in violent and terrorist activities, amid concerns over its anti-blasphemy stance and influence on public order.
In Pakistan, hundreds are imprisoned on blasphemy charges, often based on online conversations that are entrapment schemes, with accusations frequently leading to violence and misuse of strict laws that target vulnerable individuals, amid rising arrests and concerns over legal abuse and political manipulation.
Over 700 Catholics gathered to celebrate Mass outside the burned St. Paul Catholic Church in Jaranwala, Pakistan, just four days after a mob of Islamist extremists destroyed over 30 churches and 800 homes. The mob attack was sparked by unverified accusations of blasphemy against two Christians. Despite the devastation, no Christians were reported killed, and many were able to flee their homes in time. The Christians in Jaranwala have responded to the crisis with bravery, holding Mass despite threats and cursing from some local Muslims. Pakistan's blasphemy laws and the country's disregard for religious rights have made the plight of Christians increasingly difficult.
A Muslim mob in Pakistan burned down several Christian churches and houses in Faisalabad after accusing two Christians of desecrating the Quran. Blasphemy allegations frequently incite violent mobs in Pakistan, with Christians being the primary targets. Pakistan's blasphemy laws, which originated in the British colonial period, are often misused against vulnerable minority groups and even against Muslims to settle personal scores. At least 85 people have been murdered since 1990 in relation to blasphemy allegations. Policymakers are urged to repeal the blasphemy laws and the state is called upon to protect vulnerable minorities and maintain law and order. However, some activists argue that the laws are not the main cause of mob violence, as the excuse given for such attacks is often the perceived inaction of the police.
Paramilitary troops have cordoned off a Christian settlement in Jaranwala, Pakistan, after a Muslim mob vandalized and torched several churches and houses following accusations of desecrating the Koran. The attack lasted for over 10 hours without police intervention, and the rioters demanded the accused men be handed over to them. Hundreds of Christians have fled their homes, and the settlement has been blocked off with barbed wire. Amnesty International has called on Pakistani authorities to protect minorities, and over 100 suspected rioters have been arrested. Blasphemy is punishable by death in Pakistan, and accusations are sometimes used to settle scores.
A Muslim mob attacked a Christian locality in Pakistan's Punjab province, burning one church, damaging two others, and demolishing a man's house after accusing him of desecrating the Quran. The accusations sparked anger among Muslims, leading to the attack on multiple churches. Police are registering cases against those who desecrated the Quran and are working to restore order with the help of local elders and clerics. Pakistan's blasphemy laws, which carry the death penalty for insulting Islam, have often led to violence and riots even without a conviction.
The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has criticized Pakistan's use of blasphemy laws against former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his team. The USCIRF has called on Pakistan to repeal the blasphemy law and enact reforms to make blasphemy a bailable offense. The US State Department has also expressed its opposition to any law that limits religious freedoms. The charges against Khan and his team were dismissed as political victimization by rights activists in Pakistan. The USCIRF report also includes a review of US-Pakistan relations, pointing out that the United States has long considered Pakistan's stability and security a foreign policy priority.