Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Kasur (Agenzia Fides) - Bring to justice the muggers who killed the Christian couple in Kasur on November 4; take immediate action to repeal the blasphemy law: are the requests made by hundreds of Christians who demonstrated today in Kasur district, where the tragedy of the couple, Shahzad Masih and Shama Bibi, burned alive in a brick-kiln occurred because accused of blasphemy. "The government has a duty to protect the right to life and property of its citizens", explained to Agenzia Fides lawyer Sardar Mushtaq Gill, a human rights defender, who was at the demonstration.
The protest was attended by members of all faiths, including Catholics and Protestants. The protesters displayed placards and proclaimed slogans against the religious persecution of Christians in Pakistan, calling for an end to the injustices and abuses related to the blasphemy laws.
"The police failed to save the couple: often agents say they cannot save the man accused of blasphemy if he is a Christian", explains Gill. "Christians will never be safe as long as this law is in effect. This law is a serious violation of human rights and should be repealed immediately", he says. "We call on the international community to carry out a constructive and effective role in this".
Christians have also highlighted the issue of "modern slavery" in Pakistan. Often the faithful who work in large brick-kilns are "slaves". As was the case of Shahzad and Shama, in fact, they incur a debt with employers who pay with years of work without a salary. It happens that these debts, which swell of interest, are often not redeemed by the parents (a lifetime of work is not enough) and then fall upon the children, so slavery is perpetuated for generations. Christian organizations are asking to stop this illegal and inhumane practice. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 10/11/2014)
