To,

The Honorable Members of the United States Senate and United States Congress

Subject: Urgent Action Required Against Pakistan for Minority Persecutions Under Blasphemy Laws

Date: May 25th, 2024

 
Dear Esteemed Members of Senate and Congress,

We, the undersigned citizens and residents of the United States, write to you with a grave concern that necessitates your immediate attention and decisive action. The ongoing persecution of religious minorities in Pakistan under the guise of blasphemy laws has reached a critical point that demands international intervention.

Background and Context:

Pakistan's blasphemy laws, particularly Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code, have been repeatedly misused to target religious minorities, including Christians, Hindus, Ahmadis, and Shias. These laws prescribe severe punishments, including the death penalty, for alleged blasphemy against Islam. The mere accusation of blasphemy often leads to violent mob actions, social ostracization, and judicial miscarriages. This state of affairs has created an environment of fear and oppression for millions of minority citizens. Minorities are not even safe on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Tiktok from the hate speech and violent threats. 

Human Rights Violations:

1. Extrajudicial Killings and Mob Violence:

Numerous instances have been reported where individuals accused of blasphemy have been lynched by mobs or subjected to extrajudicial killings. Law enforcement agencies often fail to protect the accused or bring the perpetrators to justice.

2. Judicial Injustice:

The judiciary in Pakistan has shown a troubling pattern of bias and susceptibility to extremist pressure, resulting in unfair trials and convictions. Accused individuals often face prolonged detentions, sometimes in solitary confinement, under harsh conditions.

3. Social and Economic Marginalization:

Religious minorities accused of blasphemy, along with their families, suffer from severe social ostracization, loss of livelihood, and displacement from their homes. This marginalization perpetuates a cycle of poverty and disenfranchisement.

Our Appeal:

We urge you, as representatives of a nation that champions human rights and religious freedom, to take the following actions:

1. Condemnation and Diplomatic Pressure:

Publicly condemn the misuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan and call for their repeal or significant reform.
Use diplomatic channels to pressure the Pakistani government to ensure the protection of religious minorities and uphold the rule of law.

2. Conditional Aid and Sanctions:

Make U.S. aid and Military Aid to Pakistan conditional upon tangible improvements in the protection of religious minorities and the reform of blasphemy laws Consider targeted sanctions against individuals and entities within Pakistan who are responsible for instigating or perpetrating human rights abuses under these laws.

3. Support for Civil Society and Human Rights Defenders:

Increase support for Pakistani civil society organizations and human rights defenders working to protect minority rights and advocate for legal reforms.
Provide asylum and safe haven for individuals at imminent risk of persecution due to blasphemy accusations.

4. International Coalition:

Collaborate with other democratic nations and international bodies to form a coalition aimed at pressuring Pakistan to end the persecution of religious minorities and align its legal framework with international human rights standards.

Conclusion:

The persecution of religious minorities in Pakistan under blasphemy laws is not just a violation of human rights; it is an affront to the values of justice and freedom that the United States holds dear. We implore you to take a stand and lead the international community in demanding an end to these egregious abuses. Your decisive action can save lives and restore dignity to those who have long been oppressed.

Signatories:

Andy Khan

 andy.khan74@gmail.com

 
Please look at these few news articles in last 12 months of some of the incidents

https://www.voanews.com/a/alleged-blasphemy-triggers-violent-muslim-mob-attack-on-pakistani-christians-/7626992.html​

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/17/chinese-engineer-charged-with-blasphemy-in-pakistan​

https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2024/2/29/pakistan-when-a-blasphemy-accusation-is-evidence-the-sentence-often-death​

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/02/world/asia/pakistan-blasphemy-violence.html​

https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/16/asia/pakistan-punjab-churches-vandalized-blasphemy-intl/index.html​

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/5/7/pakistani-man-lynched-over-alleged-blasphemy-remarks-during-rally

 
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. We trust in your commitment to human rights and look forward to your prompt and decisive action.

Sincerely,

Andy Khan

Columbus GA

 
References:

Amnesty International. "As Good as Dead: The Impact of Blasphemy Laws in Pakistan."

https://www.amnesty.org/en/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/ASA3363802017ENGLISH.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjkmOyxvKqGAxVegIQIHeGEDz4QFnoECBgQAQ&usg=AOvVaw3z9kllB2AzJOAEUxRHgrhz

Human Rights Watch.

https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2023/country-chapters/pakistan

United States Commission on International Religious Freedom. "Annual Report [2023]."

https://www.uscirf.gov/release-statements/uscirf-releases-report-pakistans-blasphemy-law
 
By addressing this issue, the United States Congress can reaffirm its leadership in defending human rights globally and ensure that justice and equality prevail for all.