Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Geneva (Fides) - Two NGOs of Catholic religious, Franciscans International and Dominicans for Justice and Peace, accredited to the UN Human Rights Commission based in Geneva Switzerland, have voiced support for a request to abolish the blasphemy law in Pakistan. In a joint statement presented to the Human Rights Commission in Geneva, the NGOs have called for a revision of the penal code in Pakistan advocated also by President Pervez Musharraf and the protection of the life, property and dignity of religious minorities.
For some time the Franciscans and Dominicans have been following the situation of the rights of religious minorities in Pakistan. This year during the meeting of the UN Human Rights Commission in April Dominican Father Philippe Leblanc, head of Dominicans for Justice and Peace, said “religious discrimination are inscribed in the law and in social structures. Religious intolerance is among the causes of many conflicts and war in various parts of the world. The lack of political will on the part of governments to end these situations only encourages extremist groups. We will continue to monitor the conditions of human rights Pakistan, especially with regard to religious freedom ”.
Since 1986, religious minorities in Pakistan have suffered because of the blasphemy law. The local Catholic Church has asked for the law to be abolished Article 295/c of Pakistan’s Code of Penal law, know as the blasphemy law, condemns anyone who, in word or writing, acts, or visible representations with direct or indirect insinuations, insult the holy name of the Prophet”. The punishment can be life imprisonment. In the past many Christians have been falsely accused of blasphemy. The most recent case was that of 30 year old Samuel Masih, from Lahore, who died on May 28 after some months in coma in the hospital where he was taken after being beaten in prison. Samuel, suffering from TB, was accused by a bookshop owner of Lahore of leaving garbage near a Mosque in Lahore.
According to the Justice and Peace Commission of the Pakistan Bishops’ Conference since 1987 at least 148 Muslims 208 Ahmads, 75 Christians and 8 Hindus have been wrongly charged with blasphemy.
In Pakistan has a population of 155 million, 97%, (77% Sunni Muslims and 20% Shiite). Christians are 2.5%, including about 1.2 million Catholics . (PA) (Agenzia Fides 7/6/2004 lines 38 words 397)
