Pakistani Ambassador To The U.S. To Be Investigated For Blasphemy

[struggle4progress]

14. Human Rights First Submission to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Universal Periodic Review: Pakistan 2012

... The laws serve to stifle discussion and dissent; spark outbreaks of mob violence; violate freedom of religion, thought or belief; and are used as a weapon to settle private disputes ... Such abuse is supported by legal procedures wherein allegations of blasphemy require neither proof of intent nor the presentation of evidence. Bail is often denied, and there is no punishment for rendering false allegations ... Pakistan’s blasphemy laws provide a context in which the government and non-state actors can prevent the peaceful expression of political or religious views, including those on the role of religion in law, society, and the state. By restricting those essential freedoms in the name of protecting religion from defamation, the government is able to stifle the healthy debate and discussion of ideas and essentially determine which ideas are acceptable and which are not. Politicians, teachers and students, clergy and congregants, writers and journalists, web and social media users, religious converts and others have suffered prosecution for exercising their right to freedom of expression ... The loose and unclear language of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws — along with procedures which allow private individuals to initiate blasphemy cases without prosecutorial or judicial review — provide dangerous ammunition to those who have used them to victimize individuals and as a weapon in private disputes. Accusations of blasphemy are often the byproducts of disputes between neighbors, colleagues, political opponents, religious and academic leaders, and business associates whose dealings have become adversarial. Given the severity of the punishment provided under these laws, the ease with which one may initiate a proceeding raises serious concerns of due process and the right to a fair trial ... On April 10, 2011, Gulzar Masih, a Christian book store owner and his son were forced to flee their home after being accused of blasphemy by a former business rival. On April 5, 2011, Arif Masih was arrested after being falsely accused of tearing pages from the Koran. The accusations stemmed
from a land dispute with a neighbor. Scores of cases of this nature have been filed ...
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