News Desk
Islamabad, 19 September 2024:
A Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) court in Rawalpindi has sentenced Shagufta Kiran, a Christian woman, to death after convicting her of blasphemy. The charges3 stemmed from a religious discussion on a WhatsApp group called “Pure Discussion,” where the complainant, Sheraz Ahmed Farooqi, accused her of making disrespectful remarks about the Prophet Mohammed.
Kiran was arrested on July 29, 2021, and charged under Section 11 of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, along with Sections 295-A, 298-A, 109, and 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code. These sections include severe penalties, with 295-C mandating the death penalty for blasphemy.
The verdict has left her family, including her four children, in deep distress. “We have been crying since yesterday, and this news has brought even more pain and trauma to our entire family,” said Nidaal, Shagufta’s daughter. Nihaal, another child, expressed their ongoing anguish over their mother’s detention in an3 isolation cell since 2021.
Rana Abdul Hameed, Shagufta’s defense lawyer, argued that the case was motivated by personal grievances and lacked credible evidence. He emphasized that, under Pakistan’s legal framework, cases of this nature require special government permission for registration—a requirement he claims was3 not met. “In a fair trial, Shagufta Kiran should have been presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,” Hameed stated.
Jubilee Campaign, a Netherlands-based organization, has been providing legal support to Kiran and plans to appeal the decision in a higher court. Joseph Jansen, advocacy officer with Jubilee Campaign, expressed concern over the increasing misuse of blasphemy laws, particularly against religious minorities. He noted that accusations are often rooted in personal disputes or religious discrimination. “It is disturbing to see how easily blasphemy charges can be weaponized against religious minorities,” Jansen remarked.
Jansen also called for reforms to Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, advocating for blasphemy-related offenses to be made bailable and for judicial oversight during arrests and investigations. He further highlighted the need to address the lack of accountability for false accusations, which he believes fuels the misuse of the laws.
The case has drawn attention to the broader issue of religious intolerance in Pakistan. Jansen pointed to the August 2023 attacks in Jaranwala, where mobs destroyed Christian homes and churches following allegations of Quran desecration, as an example of rising tensions. Despite a year having passed since the attacks, he noted that the Christian community continues to await justice.
Human rights organizations have called for Shagufta Kiran’s immediate release and for the protection of her and her family. They also urged the international community to address the ongoing misuse of blasphemy laws and advocate for the rights of religious minorities in Pakistan, particularly in light of the country’s obligations under its GSP+ trade status.
