A 22-year-old Christian youth named Noman Masih has been sentenced to death on blasphemy charges by a local court in Bahawalpur, causing shockwaves throughout Pakistan.
The court’s decision has sparked outrage among human rights activists and religious minorities, who argue that a fair investigation was not conducted in his case, leading to an unjust outcome.
Noman Masih stands accused of possessing blasphemous images on his mobile phone. As per Pakistan’s Penal Code, Section 295-C, this offense carries a mandatory death penalty. However, those familiar with the challenges faced by religious minorities in Pakistan are well aware that false blasphemy accusations are often used as a means to settle personal scores, property disputes, religious prejudices, or business rivalries.
Joseph Jansen, a prominent advocate for minority rights, expressed deep concern and distress over the sentencing. He highlighted the lack of fair investigations in such cases and emphasized that those who falsely accuse religious minorities often escape accountability, leading to further misuse of blasphemy laws and endangering innocent lives.
Human rights activist Ilyas Samuel expressed hope that the High Court will intervene and overturn the death sentence, urging a comprehensive review of the charges against Noman Masih. Nadia Stephen, a women’s rights advocate, stressed the fundamental right to a fair investigation, emphasizing that the accused’s life is at stake.
Ashiknaz Khokhar, another influential human rights activist, pointed out that false blasphemy accusations have had devastating consequences for marginalized communities, resulting in the destruction of innocent lives and perpetuating an atmosphere of fear and persecution.
Lala Robin Daniel, the chairperson of the National Minority Alliance of Pakistan, called upon the Pakistani government to implement an effective mechanism that reduces the misuse of blasphemy laws. Daniel emphasized the importance of creating a safe environment where individuals are not unfairly targeted and where justice is served based on thorough investigation and evidence.
According to a report by Eurasia Review, at least 57 cases of alleged blasphemy were registered in Pakistan from January to May 2023. Punjab reported the highest number of cases with 28, followed by Sindh with 16, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 8, and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) with 5.
Recently, two Christian teenagers, Adil Baber and Simon Masih, were accused of blasphemy in Lahore, Pakistan. The allegations against them were made by police constable Zahid Sohail after he had a confrontation with the young individuals on May 28, 2023.
