ASIA/PAKISTAN - Petition to abolish the “Law on Blasphemy”

Islamabad (Agenzia Fides) – Christians in Pakistan are working against the controversial law on blasphemy. The Justice and Commission of the Pakistani Bishops' Conference, has called for the signing of a petition to be presented to the government, calling for an abolition of the law. Specifically speaking, they refer to articles 295 b and c and 298 a, b, and c of the Pakistani Penal Code, which have to do with the laws over blasphemy which are often used against religious minorities like Christians and Ahmadi.
The Code condemns “any who with words or writings, gestures, or visible manifestations, direct or indirect insinuations, insult the sacred name of the Prophet.” The punishments for violating the law are life in prison or the death penalty.
The initiative of the petition was launched recently, following fresh violence suffered by Christians in Kasur, Gojra, and other places in the country. In particular, a statement from Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha, President of the Bishops' Conference, mentions “the attacks in Gojra are an emblematic sign of the abuse of the law on blasphemy and its consequences. It has been used to justify violence and aggression.”
The Christian community in Pakistan and the other religious communities, which often suffer from these abuses of the law on blasphemy, have been calling for modifications and abolition of the punishments. President Pervez Musharraf tried to reform the law in 2000, however he was unable to because of pressures from fundamentalists groups and religious parties.
The Church has always been opposed to a law that was defined by Archbishop Saldanha as “unjust and discriminatory.” Thus, he has officially called for its abrogation with various public appeals, in the name of justice, equality, and respect for human rights for all Pakistani citizens, whatever religion they may be.
The human rights associations denounce the fact that the conditions of Christian minorities have worsened in recent months and that there is a widespread custom of using the law against blasphemy to do away with adversaries, enemies, disliked persons, and especially, members of religious minorities.
According to data gathered by the Justice and Peace Commission, the abuse of the law has brought numerous innocent persons to be deprived of their freedom and be at risk for losing their lives. From 1986 to 2009, 964 people have been accused of blasphemy and in many cases, the court has ruled that the accusations were false and unfounded. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 01/09/2009)