Blasphemy
Table of Contents
Letter of transmittal …………..………………………………………………….pg i
Executive summary ………………………………………………………………pg ii
Introduction ………………………………………………………………………..pg 2
Blasphemy laws in Pakistan Offenses relating to religion: Pakistan Penal Code…..pg 4
Critique ……………………………………………………………………………..pg 7
Cases ………………………………………………………………………………..pg 12
Recommendations …………………………………………………………………..pg 17
Bibliography ………………………………………………………………………..pg iii
Introduction
The blasphemy laws under the Pakistan penal code were introduced around 1985 Zia ul Haq, a military dictator, to protect the rights of the Muslim majority of Pakistan. Since then, these laws have been used to terrorize the minorities of Pakistan, particularly Christians. Blasphemy laws are used more for cases of political vendetta, land disputes or political rivalry and a way to challenge someone's identity, a powerful tool to intimidate anyone, Muslim or non-Muslim.
These blasphemy laws severely limit the freedom of speech and assembly of non-Muslim people i.e. Christians, Hindus, Bheels, Maingwals, Sikhs etc. However, Muslims too are now being framed under these laws without sufficient evidence.
Before the introduction of this law, no case of blasphemy ever surfaced in Pakistan and no non-Muslim was ever blamed as a blasphemer. But, after the introduction of blasphemy law in 1985, hundreds of non-Muslims, mostly Christians, have either been killed by the Muslim fanatics or made to flee from the country or put in jails where they face inhumane treatment both at the hands of the Muslim Jail authorities and the Muslim inmates. Any voice raised for the repeal of blasphemy laws, is ruthlessly suppressed. On the contrary however, there have not been many cases of hangings due to violation of the blasphemy laws although, the most criticized is section 295 C which imposes a penalty of death or life imprisonment if a person is caught disrespecting Islam in any way.
General Pervez Musharaf
Letter of transmittal …………..………………………………………………….pg i
Executive summary ………………………………………………………………pg ii
Introduction ………………………………………………………………………..pg 2
Blasphemy laws in Pakistan Offenses relating to religion: Pakistan Penal Code…..pg 4
Critique ……………………………………………………………………………..pg 7
Cases ………………………………………………………………………………..pg 12
Recommendations …………………………………………………………………..pg 17
Bibliography ………………………………………………………………………..pg iii
Introduction
The blasphemy laws under the Pakistan penal code were introduced around 1985 Zia ul Haq, a military dictator, to protect the rights of the Muslim majority of Pakistan. Since then, these laws have been used to terrorize the minorities of Pakistan, particularly Christians. Blasphemy laws are used more for cases of political vendetta, land disputes or political rivalry and a way to challenge someone's identity, a powerful tool to intimidate anyone, Muslim or non-Muslim.
These blasphemy laws severely limit the freedom of speech and assembly of non-Muslim people i.e. Christians, Hindus, Bheels, Maingwals, Sikhs etc. However, Muslims too are now being framed under these laws without sufficient evidence.
Before the introduction of this law, no case of blasphemy ever surfaced in Pakistan and no non-Muslim was ever blamed as a blasphemer. But, after the introduction of blasphemy law in 1985, hundreds of non-Muslims, mostly Christians, have either been killed by the Muslim fanatics or made to flee from the country or put in jails where they face inhumane treatment both at the hands of the Muslim Jail authorities and the Muslim inmates. Any voice raised for the repeal of blasphemy laws, is ruthlessly suppressed. On the contrary however, there have not been many cases of hangings due to violation of the blasphemy laws although, the most criticized is section 295 C which imposes a penalty of death or life imprisonment if a person is caught disrespecting Islam in any way.
General Pervez Musharaf
Bibliography: http://www.rationalistinternational.net/Shaikh/blasphemy_laws_in_pakistan.htm