Brutal attacks prompt call for protection of Pakistan’s Christian minority

The former Bishop of Rochester is calling on the Pakistani government to protect its Christian minority after brutal attacks by extremists last year.

His call comes after Release International investigators met Christians who told of relatives who were burnt alive by militants in their homes in Gojra, near Lahore, and others who had been falsely accused of blasphemy.

Pakistan-born Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, patron of Release, said: “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.

“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.”

Investigators met one woman, Josefine Akhlas, who lost her husband and six other relatives when the family home was set ablaze by a mob of Islamic extremists. The riot was triggered by an accusation of blasphemy, a crime punishable by death in Pakistan.

“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.”

Walter Masih lost his wife and daughter when a mob poured chemicals over their home and set it on fire.

“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.”

Release’s partners in Pakistan are campaigning to repeal the blasphemy laws, which they say are often misused by Islamic extremists as a way of getting revenge and justifying land grabs.

Release’s investigators heard of the difficulties faced by Christians accused of blasphemy. One family of 16 was driven from its home after militants found a Christian leaflet in one of the children’s schoolbooks.

Shafique Masih, a pastor, said: “We received severe threats. They said we must embrace Islam. They tried to force us.”

Walyat Masih is facing life imprisonment after being charged with blasphemy. He was celebrating the life of a local deceased Christian when Muslims joined him in paying their respects and laid a cloth over his grave. Militants accused him of blasphemy because the cloth was decorated with the Islamic declaration of faith, even though Masih is illiterate and could not read the text. He is awaiting sentencing.

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

Release has launched a petition calling on the Pakistani government to protect its Christian minority. The petition can be downloaded at www.releaseinternational.org/pages/take-action/current-campaign.php