Two Pakistan Christians Given Death Sentences on Blasphemy Charges Following Swift Hearing
Not even two months after Christian mother Asia Bibi was acquitted of charges of blashphemy, two more believers have received death sentences. Lehore natives Qaisar and Amoon Ayub were detained in 2015 as a result of one of the men was accused of publishing objectionable content against the Islamic faith on their website.
The brothers have been held in the Jhelum District Jail since their arrest, where they awaited trial.
On December 13, their case was heard within the walls of the prison due to security concerns. Vatican Newsreports that additional Session judge Javed Iqbal Bosal sound both of the men guilty and gave them death sentences.
Since the beginning of the ordeal, the Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS) has been representing Quisar and Amoon.
“CLAAS has decided to challenge the decision before the Lahore High Court Bench at Rawalpindi as soon as possible,” the organization stated in a press release on the case. “CLAAS believes that in blasphemy cases the judges always remain under threat from religious fanatics and that is why the trial judges convict those accused of blasphemy.”
The campaign group made its opinion clear, noting that the Judge in the case “did not apply his judicious mind” and “convicted the accused in a very casual manner.”
“This is a very unfortunate situation as because of threats from hardliners lower courts pass their responsibility to the higher court and then it takes years to prove the accused innocent,” stated CLAAS director, Nasir Saeed.
“We have seen this in the recent case of Asia Bibi, who was similarly convicted by the lower court and it took her years to reach to the supreme court to get justice,” Saeed added. “I am afraid now Qasir and Amoon will have to wait years to get justice. It is a sad reality that the present government has no intention even to talk about or to take steps to stop the ongoing misuse of the blasphemy law.”
Saeed concluded by saying that “the killing of innocent people will continue” unless there is a “growing opposition to the law around the world.”
Photo courtesy: Unsplash
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