Pakistan: Authorities must urgently reform blasphemy laws in wake of Ramsha case

The Pakistan government must urgently reform its blasphemy laws and ensure the safety of Ramsha Masih, a Christian girl arrested by police for allegedly committing an act of blasphemy, Amnesty International said today.

On Wednesday 17 August, Ramsha Masih and her mother were arrested by police in Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital. The police reacted under pressure from people who were demonstrating after a local preacher accused Ramsha of burning pages of the Quran. This is an offence that may be punishable with death under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws.

Amnesty International’s South Asia Director Polly Truscott said:

“This case illustrates the erosion of the rule of law and the dangers faced by those accused of blasphemy in Pakistan.

“Amnesty International is extremely concerned for Ramsha’s safety. In the recent past individuals accused of blasphemy have been killed by members of the public."

On hearing the accusations, some residents of the neighbourhood attacked Ramsha Masih’s mother and other members of the local Christian community. Up to 300 Christian residents fled the area and the Masih family remains in hiding.

Pakistan’s blasphemy laws make it an offence to destroy, damage or defile places of worship or sacred objects including the Quran or Prophet Muhammad. The penalties range from a fine to life imprisonment or death.

But their vague formulation, along with inadequate investigation by the authorities and intimidation by mobs, spurred on by some local preachers and religious groups, has promoted vigilantism in Pakistan and especially in Punjab province.

On 18 August, the President of Pakistan ordered an investigation into the case and called on the authorities to “protect the life and property of everyone”.

Polly Truscott said:

“Amnesty International welcomes the President’s swift response to this case, but the President’s actions will count for little unless they are followed by greater efforts to reform the blasphemy laws to ensure they cannot be used maliciously to settle disputes or enable private citizens to take matters into their own hands.

“After four years of failing to deliver on repeated promises to review laws that are ‘detrimental to religious harmony’ like the blasphemy laws, now is the time for the Pakistan government to act.

“The continued failure to reform these laws has effectively sent the message that anyone can commit outrageous abuses and attempt to excuse them as defence of religious sentiments.

“The authorities must also ensure Ramsha Masih, a child, who reportedly suffers from Down syndrome, her family and Islamabad’s Christian community, are protected against intimidation and attacks.

“The authorities must also prosecute all individuals that incite the community to commit acts of violence on the basis of the blasphemy laws.”

Religious minorities have been disproportionately accused of blasphemy, but a large proportion of victims are from the Muslim majority.