The Human Rights Observer 2022 report prepared by the Center for Social Justice states that every second accused of blasphemy in Pakistan was a non-Muslim. According to the report, in the year 2021, Muslims made up the largest part of those accused of blasphemy. After that there are people from Ahmadi, Hindu and Christian communities.
Half of the 84 cases are non-Muslims
The Express Tribune report states that a total of 84 people were booked under blasphemy, of whom 42 were Muslims, 25 Ahmadis, seven Hindus and three Christians. The report did not cover only blasphemy data. Information about cases of lynching is also given. There are three cases of lynching including the infamous lynching of Sri Lankan national Priyanka Kumar in Sialkot.
Fake allegations in the name of blasphemy
The study shows that cases of ‘unverified and bogus allegations’ of blasphemy have increased in the past few years. Due to these reasons lynchings and such incidents have increased. Strict blasphemy laws are being misused in Pakistan to stomp out personal hatred against minorities and even members of the Muslim community.
Attacks on defense lawyers have increased
Many people have been beaten to death in Pakistan on charges of blasphemy. Tribune reports that many people remain in jails for years with no hope of getting justice as lawyers refuse to defend the accused for fear of their lives.
Judges in the lower courts have awarded death sentence to the accused without conducting frequent investigations. Recently an accused’s lawyer was murdered in Multan. Earlier, a judge of the Lahore High Court was shot dead in his chamber after he acquitted an accused Christian man.