Infamous blasphemy law to be reviewed by Human Rights Committee

A debate over how to prevent the misuse of Pakistan's notorious blasphemy law is set to begin as early as next week, the Pakistani Senate's Committee on Human Rights has decided.

Pakistani senator, Farhatullah Babar, told Reuters that the committee would consider a proposal which would make it binding for investigations to take place before a blasphemy case can be registered - this would ensure that 'genuine blasphemy' had been committed.

"They will be looking for 'creative' ways to install checks and balances to investigate whether an act of blasphemy is valid or not," says an Open Doors communicator in the region. "We see this as a positive move, but are aware that the risks could be rather high."

The blasphemy law, which carries a mandatory death penalty for insulting anything relating to Islam and the prophet Muhammad, is often misused to settle personal scores and to persecute minorities - many of them being Christians.

Babar also indicated that discussions would take place over whether life-sentences, rather than the death sentence, would be suitable punishment for those found guilty of blasphemy.

Worryingly, there has been severe opposition to any reforms from religious extremists.

150 hardliners arrested in blasphemy support march

Preceding the Senate's decision to curb its misuse, 150 Muslim activists were arrested by police after they tried taking to the streets to show their support of the country's blasphemy law.

The rally was to take place on the anniversary of the assassination of provincial governor, Salmaan Taseer, after he called for the statute to be reformed.

Taseer was killed by his bodyguard, Mumtaz Qadri, after he had drawn anger by taking up Asia Bibi's case, the Christian mother-of-five who has been sentenced to death for blasphemy.

Will this debate compromise Asia Bibi's safety?

Under serious pressure from Islamist radicals, it is increasingly difficult for Pakistan's government and courts to deal with the blasphemy law, as it becomes ever more symbolic of Islamist political success. The more openly people stand up to the blasphemy law, the more likely they become a target of Islamic hardliners.

"Anger against this senate committee could compromise Asia Bibi's position in prison," said Open Doors' regional communicator. Only in October 2016, Asia Bibi's appeal against her death sentence had to be postponed after a judge suddenly withdrew from the case.

Indeed, Asia Bibi's vulnerability to Islamist attack is so severe that prison could arguably be the safest place for her. Asia's family has already gone into hiding after receiving death threats.

"Please pray for God's wisdom to direct the debate process," says the Open Doors communicator. "Pray for protection of those who demonstrate sympathy for Pakistan's religious minorities, and for those who speak out against the injustice of these laws."

Pakistan is number four on the 2017 Open Doors World Watch List - a ranking of the countries where Christians face the severest persecution for their faith. The abuses of Pakistan's blasphemy laws are some of the starkest examples of persecution in Pakistan.

Source: Reuters; Open Doors

Please pray:

• Praise God that this debate on the misuse of the blasphemy law is going to take place
• That God would provide the committee with wisdom and protection, and that it will soon become harder for people to be wrongly accused of blasphemy
• For God's comfort to be poured out on Christians languishing in prison under false accusations of blasphemy.