Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lahore (Agenzia Fides) - "We are shocked. The death of Nauman Masih, the 14-year-old Christian burnt alive by a group of Muslims, is surprising. Two days ago the doctors said that despite the severe burns, the boy would survive, because no internal organs were damaged.
The boy unfortunately died after plastic surgery". This is what is said to Agenzia Fides by Christian lawyer Aneeqa Maria Anthony, coordinator of the NGO "The Voice Society", which brings together a pool of lawyers committed to the defense of human rights.
The organization followed the case right from the beginning, collecting Nauman Nasih’s statements and presenting a formal complaint to the police.
Yesterday some sources tried to make excuses that the aggression was not for religious reasons: according to some Pakistani media the attack against Nauman was carried out because of the result of a dispute within the family. Lawyer Anthony denies categorically: "Nauman gave his explanation of the fact. His was attacked by two strangers when he said he was a Christian. The rest are rumors and false leads".
The circumstances of the death remain to be clarified. "We are waiting for the coroner's report and the autopsy. His sudden death is not convincing. A thorough investigation is needed. Nauman said he was able to recognize his attackers, who now go unpunished", he says.
The lawyer promises that the NGO "The Voice Society" will continue to follow the case "as a matter of justice". "We will follow the work of the police and civil authorities. We reiterate the request to the institutions to put every effort to shed light on this sad affair that sees an innocent boy succumb unjustly, only because of his faith". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 16/04/2015)
