Investigators from the human rights organisation spoke to Christians whose relatives had been burned alive by militants in their home, and to others who had been unjustly accused of blasphemy.

 

They tell their stories in the latest edition of Release magazine, available from the Release website: www.releaseinternational.org

 

Josefine Akhlas lost her husband and six relatives when militants torched their home in Gojra, near Lahore. 'When I looked back I saw there was nothing left of my house,' she told Release. 'It was totally destroyed. My husband was burnt alive. We did nothing for which we were punished so cruelly.'

 

50-year-old Walter Masih lost his wife, Bervan, and his daughter, Asia, when the mob poured chemicals into the house and set it ablaze. 'My daughter was caught in the fire and did not come out,' he said. 'She was six months pregnant.

 

'We are very scared,’ he added. ‘These people can attack again whenever they want. We can do nothing - only believe in Jesus. We have a strong trust in him.'

 

The rioting broke out after Christians in a neighbouring village were accused of blasphemy. They had cut up an Arabic textbook to use as confetti at a wedding. Militants claimed that on its pages were printed words from the Koran.

 

A cry of blasphemy went up at mosque loudspeakers, along with calls to attack the small Christian community. An 800-strong mob, including militant jihadis who claimed to be linked to the Taliban and Al-Queda, gathered with weapons, burning people from their homes and killing seven.

 

Accusations of blasphemy are frequently levelled at Christians and others in Pakistan as a way of getting revenge and to justify land grabs. This was no exception, according to Release partners in Pakistan, who are campaigning to repeal the notorious blasphemy laws.

 

Release gathered evidence from individuals whose lives had been devastated by accusations of blasphemy. A family of 16 were driven from their home after militants found a Christian leaflet in a 17-year-old's schoolbook. 'We received severe threats,' said Shafique Masih, a pastor. 'They said we must embrace Islam. They tried to force us.'

 

Another man, Walyat Masih, who can neither read nor write, was celebrating the life of a local Christian who had prayed for the sick. Some Muslims who also loved this man joined in. They spread a cloth over his grave. On that cloth was printed the Islamic declaration of faith.

 

Walyat Masih is illiterate and had no knowledge of what the words meant. Yet militants accused him of blasphemy. He has been charged and could face life imprisonment.

 

'When we were arrested,' he said, 'the locals wanted to attack our Christian colony. They wanted to set fire to our houses and burn us alive.'

 

Release's patron, Bishop Michael Nazir Ali, was born in Pakistan and was driven from that country by persecution. He says: 'The blasphemy law needs repealing, but it is a symptom of a much wider drive to enforce Islamic orthodoxy. It's not just Christians, but Muslims themselves who suffer as a result of Islamic law - especially the women.'

 

Bishop Michael is urging Christians to sign the petition, to pray for change, and to take practical action wherever possible. The petition declares:

 

‘In response to all these concerns, we strongly urge the Government to create within Pakistan a genuine culture of respect for all its citizens by safeguarding their human and legal rights, and by actively protecting its minority Christian population and their religious freedom.’

 

The petition and a poster can be downloaded from: www.releaseinternational.org/pages/take-action/current-campaign.php

 

 

 

Pictures of Josefine Akhlas, Walter Masih, Shafique Masih, Walyat Masih, and others, are available. Please email your requirements to andrewboydconsultant@btinternet.com

 

The text of the petition is as follows:

To the High Commissioner for Pakistan, London:

We, the undersigned, wish to express our grave concern at the lack of justice for Christian minorities in Pakistan where false allegations against them can result in:

 

• lengthy detention pending trial, particularly, but not exclusively, in relation to abuse of blasphemy laws;
• unsound convictions by courts under pressure from extremists;
• physical assaults including rape against women (particularly those in domestic employment);
• abduction of girls who are forced into marriage.

 

We deplore the lack of action by officers of the law in these cases to protect the vulnerable and deal with the persecutors who are frequently allowed to act with impunity. Further, we are particularly concerned by violent attacks on Christian communities such as at Korian and Gojra in Punjab Province.

 

In response to all these concerns, we strongly urge the Government to create within Pakistan a genuine culture of respect for all its citizens by safeguarding their human and legal rights, and by actively protecting its minority Christian population and their religious freedom.

 

A country profile of Pakistan can be found at: www.releaseinternational.org/pages/country-profiles/pakistan.php

 

For further information, please contact Release International on 01689 823491, or by email at info@releaseinternational.org