Even the UN Exposes the Injustice of Pakistan’s Judicial System and Blasphemy Laws
John R. Houk
© June 1, 2012
Mehwish Aleem sent a link to members of Free Hector Aleem on Facebook concerning a report by United Nations Special Rapporteur Gabriela Knaul on the corruption via intimidation of Pakistani Judges to rule against the accused of breaking Blasphemy Laws.
The article does not mention Hector Aleem or any accused under Pakistan’s Blasphemy Laws. I assure you Hector is one of many in Pakistan especially among Christians that are persecuted and abused by using the Blasphemy Law in a nefarious agenda to benefit a Muslim.
According to the brief explanation of how the Blasphemy Law is used in Pakistan, a Christian might be considered offensive by saying something as normal as Jesus is the Christ the Son of the Living God. Such words are blasphemous according to the Quran because that book that purports to be the revelation of the Muslim god Allah to Mohammed says that Jesus is ONLY a man that did not die on the Cross let alone arise from the dead in bodily form.
In Hector’s case his original prosecution was based totally on the lie of some Islamic cleric that took exception with a Church Hector was an advocate for as a human rights individual.
Hector was almost convicted not because of proof but because of a Muslim rabble outside the Court Room. When Hector was finally exonerated of breaking Pakistan’s Blasphemy Laws all sorts of legal maneuvering on the part of Hector’s persecutors - err I mean prosecutors – have kept Hector in the Pakistani slammer.
At any rate keep sending money for Hector’s legal fees. His lawyer is a stickler for the dough before any continuation of defense in court.
As you read this NPR article on the cruelty of Pakistan’s justice system when Blasphemy Laws are utilized please think of Hector Aleem place him in your prayers.
JRH 6/1/12
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UN: Pakistan Judges Pressured To Use Blasphemy Law
By The Associated Press
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan May 29, 2012, 02:05 pm ET
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistani judges are often pressured to convict people accused under the country's blasphemy laws that call for the death penalty for anyone insulting Islam, a special U.N. representative said Tuesday.
Gabriela Knaul, the U.N.'s Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, told a news conference that lawyers are also reluctant to defend clients accused under the blasphemy laws because of intimidation.
Pakistan's blasphemy laws call for the death penalty for anyone insulting Islam, its holy book or the Prophet Muhammad. Pakistani Christians live in fear of being arrested under the laws, which critics say are often misused to settle personal scores or family feuds.
"I am especially concerned regarding cases brought under the so-called blasphemy law as it was reported to me that judges have been coerced to decide against the accused even without supporting evidence," Knaul said.
"They are afraid of reprisals by local communities because of their interpretation of the law," she added.
Lawyers who represent people accused in such cases are often targeted and not able to properly represent their clients, she said.
Last year, two prominent Pakistani political figures who spoke out against the blasphemy laws were killed in attacks that raised concerns about the rise of religious extremism in Pakistan.
Liberal politician Salman Taseer was shot and killed by one of his own guards in January 2011, and in March 2011, militants gunned down Shahbaz Bhatti, the only Christian minister in Pakistan's Cabinet.
Knaul made the comments as she was wrapping up an 11-day trip to Pakistan looking at the country's judicial system.
She praised Pakistan's progress since the end of the military dictatorship that once ruled the country but pointed out a number of areas for progress. Knaul said she was concerned about working conditions for many lower-level courts, which often operate without electricity, water or proper sanitation.
The United Nations official pointed out the lack of women in the Pakistani Supreme Court, and the threats of violence often faced by lawyers across the country.
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Even the UN Exposes the Injustice of Pakistan’s Judicial System and Blasphemy Laws
John R. Houk
© June 2, 2012
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UN: Pakistan Judges Pressured To Use Blasphemy Law
Copyright 2012 NPR
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