United Nations: ECLJ Denounces "Anti-Blasphemy" Laws in Pakistan

June 12, 2008

(United Nations) The European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ) continued its presentation at the Human Rights Council of the United Nations - arguing in support of human rights and religious freedom - this time focusing on the country of Pakistan.

During the session, a number of member states and non-governmental organizations - including the ECLJ - were permitted to address their concerns about human and religious freedoms to the Pakistani Ambassador.

During its oral intervention in the Human Rights Council, the ECLJ highlighted three keys areas involving religious freedom in Pakistan:  the interdiction of religious groups, the existence of anti-blasphemy laws, and the importance and frequency of physical violence against religious minorities, including Christians.

At a time when a coalition of Islamic countries is willing to impose "anti-blasphemy" laws also known as "anti-defamation" laws as part of the International Human Rights, the ECLJ argues that the principle itself of the "anti-blasphemy laws" is incompatible with the logic of Human Rights.

ECLJ has denounced article 295 of the Pakistani Penal Code, which clearly defines what it considers to be "blasphemy."  According to its provisions, anyone who "by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representation or by any imputation, innuendo, or insinuation, directly or indirectly, defiles the name of the Prophet [of Islam] (. . .) shall be punished with death, or imprisonment for life."  In addition, an individual who willfully defiles or desecrates the Qur'an may be imprisoned for life.

ECLJ expressed its concern that these "anti-blasphemy" laws are being used as weapons by the government of Pakistan to target and persecute Christians and other minority religions.

In its concluding remarks at the UN, the ECLJ called on Pakistan to undertake, as soon as possible, the revision of judgments of all of those who have been cited and detained under the current  "anti-blasphemy" law.

At the same time, the ECLJ called on Pakistan to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Earlier in the week, the ECLJ addressed the Human Rights Council of the UN and regarding the anti-Christian persecution underway in Algeria.  The ECLJ denounced what it called the "intolerable pressure under the Christian communities" created by a 2006 Algerian governmental resolution, which puts strict limits on the religious minorities - including Christians.