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Pakistan drops blasphemy case against Christian girl Pakistan drops blasphemy case against Christian girl
(8 days later)
A Pakistani Christian girl accused by her neighbours of burning sacred Islamic texts has had blasphemy charges against her dropped by the Islamabad high court.A Pakistani Christian girl accused by her neighbours of burning sacred Islamic texts has had blasphemy charges against her dropped by the Islamabad high court.
Rimsha Masih is believed to be one of the few people to escape prosecution under the country's religious laws, which have been subject to widespread abuse and false accusations.Rimsha Masih is believed to be one of the few people to escape prosecution under the country's religious laws, which have been subject to widespread abuse and false accusations.
The initial police report against the girl was quashed this week, more than three months after she was accused of carrying charred Qur'an texts near her house in a poor neighbourhood on the outskirts of Islamabad. The conclusion to the high-profile case came after rare public opposition to a blasphemy case by senior Islamic clerics.The initial police report against the girl was quashed this week, more than three months after she was accused of carrying charred Qur'an texts near her house in a poor neighbourhood on the outskirts of Islamabad. The conclusion to the high-profile case came after rare public opposition to a blasphemy case by senior Islamic clerics.
Sympathy has been heightened by claims, which have been questioned by some, that Masih is mentally impaired and has Down's syndrome. And, in an extraordinary development, three officers from the local mosque accused the neighbourhood's mullah, Hafiz Mohammed Khalid Chishti, of planting pages of the Muslim holy book among the charred refuse Masih had been carrying to strengthen the case against her.Sympathy has been heightened by claims, which have been questioned by some, that Masih is mentally impaired and has Down's syndrome. And, in an extraordinary development, three officers from the local mosque accused the neighbourhood's mullah, Hafiz Mohammed Khalid Chishti, of planting pages of the Muslim holy book among the charred refuse Masih had been carrying to strengthen the case against her.
Tahir Naveed Chaudhry, one of Masih's lawyers, said the testimony of a local police officer, who told a court hearing there was no evidence against the girl, had been crucial.Tahir Naveed Chaudhry, one of Masih's lawyers, said the testimony of a local police officer, who told a court hearing there was no evidence against the girl, had been crucial.
The officer appeared to have decided to arrest Masih in mid-August amid concern for her safety. At the time members of the majority Muslim community in the Mehrabad district had been protesting against her and blocking one of the main roads to the capital.The officer appeared to have decided to arrest Masih in mid-August amid concern for her safety. At the time members of the majority Muslim community in the Mehrabad district had been protesting against her and blocking one of the main roads to the capital.
Chaudhry had little hope Masih's case would be a catalyst for changes to religious laws, which were strengthened during the conservative rule of Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq in the 1980s, when blasphemy became a capital offence. "It is very difficult to change these laws in Pakistan," he said. "But this judgment will set a precedent so that other cases can be properly investigated and pursued."Chaudhry had little hope Masih's case would be a catalyst for changes to religious laws, which were strengthened during the conservative rule of Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq in the 1980s, when blasphemy became a capital offence. "It is very difficult to change these laws in Pakistan," he said. "But this judgment will set a precedent so that other cases can be properly investigated and pursued."
There has been strong opposition from hardline conservatives against any reform to laws, which, experts say, are fraught with problems, including the difficulty of examining evidence in court for fear of repeating any alleged blasphemy and finding defence lawyers prepared to take on blasphemy cases.There has been strong opposition from hardline conservatives against any reform to laws, which, experts say, are fraught with problems, including the difficulty of examining evidence in court for fear of repeating any alleged blasphemy and finding defence lawyers prepared to take on blasphemy cases.
In 2011, Salman Taseer, a businessman and governor of Punjab province, was gunned down by one of his guards after he spoke out against what he had described as the "black law".In 2011, Salman Taseer, a businessman and governor of Punjab province, was gunned down by one of his guards after he spoke out against what he had described as the "black law".
There is concern for the safety of Masih, who has been living in an undisclosed location since her release from bail in September. "While I'm thrilled to hear the charges have been quashed, my foremost concern at the moment is her safety," said Tahira Abdullah, a rights activist in Islamabad. "Others have been acquitted before but they have not lived to tell the tale."There is concern for the safety of Masih, who has been living in an undisclosed location since her release from bail in September. "While I'm thrilled to hear the charges have been quashed, my foremost concern at the moment is her safety," said Tahira Abdullah, a rights activist in Islamabad. "Others have been acquitted before but they have not lived to tell the tale."
The incident has damaged relations between Muslims and Christians in Mehrabad. Chishti has long campaigned against the Christian minority, most of whom are the descendants of low-caste Hindus and earn money as sweepers or sanitation workers.The incident has damaged relations between Muslims and Christians in Mehrabad. Chishti has long campaigned against the Christian minority, most of whom are the descendants of low-caste Hindus and earn money as sweepers or sanitation workers.
He has complained about the noise made by services held at its tiny churches and, before his arrest, had welcomed the departure of most of the area's Christians as a result of Masih's arrest.He has complained about the noise made by services held at its tiny churches and, before his arrest, had welcomed the departure of most of the area's Christians as a result of Masih's arrest.
Although many have since returned to their homes, the Christian population has shrunk as many families opted to relocate to other parts of the capital amid safety concerns.Although many have since returned to their homes, the Christian population has shrunk as many families opted to relocate to other parts of the capital amid safety concerns.
A decision over the fate of Chishti, who has been released on bail, has not been made. His prospects of freedom have improved after witnesses retracted allegations against him. He retains strong support among many Muslims in Mehrabad.A decision over the fate of Chishti, who has been released on bail, has not been made. His prospects of freedom have improved after witnesses retracted allegations against him. He retains strong support among many Muslims in Mehrabad.
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