Blasphemous Oppression In The Name of Islam: Hold Pakistan Accountable For Persecuting Religious Minorities
Source: Forbes
By Doug Bandow
The world is aflame. Religious minorities are among those who suffer most from increasing conflict. Pakistan is one of the worst homes for non-Muslims. The U.S. government should designate that nation as a “Country of Particular Concern” for failing to protect religious liberty, the most basic right of conscience.
Religious persecution is a global scourge. Many of the worst oppressors are Muslim nations. Iran, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Bahrain, Iraq, and Egypt are all important international actors. All also mistreat, or acquiesce in the mistreatment of, anyone not a Muslim. Some of them even victimize Muslims—of the wrong variety. (In Syria it is opponents of the government which do most of the persecuting.)
Islamabad is another frequent offender. The most recent State Department report on religious liberty in Pakistan noted that “The constitution and other laws and policies officially restrict religious freedom and, in practice, the government enforced many of these restrictions. The government’s respect for and protection of the right to religious freedom continued to be poor.”
Minority faiths face violent attack. Believers are killed, churches are bombed, buses are attacked, homes are destroyed, social gatherings are targeted. Warned the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom in its recent report: “In the past year, conditions hit an all-time low due to chronic sectarian violence targeting mostly Shia Muslims but also Christians, Ahmadis, and Hindus.” Last year the Commission cited a spike in violence against Shiites as well as “numerous attacks against innocent Pakistanis” of other religions.
Although Islamabad did not launch these assaults, it did little to prevent or redress them. Even when scores or more are killed at a time there often is no effective response. Explained State: “The government’s limited capacity and will to investigate or prosecute the perpetrators of increasing extremist attacks against religious minorities and on members of the Muslim majority promoting tolerance, allowed the climate of impunity to continue.” Indeed, top government officials have been gunned down for defending freedom of conscience.
Badshahi Mosque, the Largest Mosque in Lahore
The most common tool of persecution may be a charge of blasphemy. Said USCIRF: “The country’s blasphemy laws, used predominantly in Punjab province, but also nationwide, target members of religious minority communities and dissenting Muslims and frequently result in imprisonment.” Two years ago a mentally handicapped 12-year-old Christian girl was charged; after an international outcry even the authorities became embarrassed and the case was dismissed, an unusual outcome.
The blasphemy laws are made for abuse. Explained the Commission, “The so-called crime carries the death penalty or life in prison, does not require proof of intent or evidence to be presented after allegations are made, and does not include penalties for false allegations.” In fact, courts hesitate to even hear evidence, lest doing so also be considered another act of blasphemy. With evidence unnecessary, the charge has become a weapon routinely used in personal and business disputes, including a means to exact revenge for imagined offenses.
Categories: Ahmadis And Pakistan, Ahmadiyyat: True Islam, Anti-Islam Attitude, Asia, Blasphemy
Islam is a peaceful religion,unfortunately what’s going on in Pakistan and other Islamic countries is enough to give a bad name to Islam.
All Muslim should come and join the fold of the promised messiah and they will get sense and understand Islam
Doug Bandow has no credibility.
He is a scumbag who resigned from Cato in December, 2005, after admitting he accepted payments from lobbyist Jack Abramoff over approximately ten years in return for publishing articles favorable to Abramoff’s clients.
He is biased extremist Christians who always promote violence in Muslim countries. You can give him 5000 dollars and he will write a column against his own mother.
So We Pakistani don’t mind what he writes. When bad forces unite against Pakistan or any Muslim country, all of these so called free press characterless Idiots come out of their holes to demonize Muslim countries to create consensus among general public to gain support for attacking sovereign nations.
This is considered his criminal act because he cannot see the murders of Muslims in the hands of crusaders, jews and Hindus. His Mentally, he is retarded and greedy who sold his profession for money.
But whatever is in the article is a true statement of facts.