Pakistan: HRFP Demands Justice and Protection for Blasphemy Victim

Human Rights Focus Pakistan (HRFP) has urged for the protection and justice of Younas Masih, a victim of blasphemy, and his family. Younas Masih (68) was accused of blasphemy in Khurianwala village in Pakistan’s Faisalabad. HRFP, during their fact-finding mission, visited the locations of the incident, police stations, and conducted interviews with the individuals involved. […]

HRFP, during their fact-finding mission, visited the locations of the incident, police stations, and conducted interviews with the individuals involved. Younas Masih, who was acquitted, visited the HRFP office for continuity of assistance in their emergency, in a press statement issued by HRFP.

Younas Masih and his family have provided HRFP with information about the consequences and reasons behind the blasphemy charges leveled against him. The HRFP team collected the facts, evidence, and documents and concluded fake charges had been leveled against Younas Masih.

On 10 February, Younas Masih was wrongly accused of blasphemy by Fatima Bibi and her husband Amanat Ali because they had personal problems with him and his family, according to the HRFP press release. A few months before, a dispute arose between Christian and Muslim women who were neighbors, Fatima Bibi and Younis’ wife Azra Bibi had a disagreement leading to a halt in their visits to each other’s homes. Even the grandson of Younas Masih, Rehman who was a frequent guest at Fatima Bibi’s home, was ordered to stop the visitations.

When Azra Bibi inquired about the reasons for this behavior, Fatima Bibi responded by stating her intentions to take action against them at all levels. She further threatened that no member of Younis’s family would be allowed to reside there.

At 3 pm on February 10, Fatima Bibi suddenly started yelling and encouraged others to claim that Younas Masih had damaged Quranic pages. Someone called 15, and the police arrived, taking Younas directly to the Civil Line Police Station in Katchery Bazar, Faisalabad. The police conducted thorough questioning regarding the blasphemy allegations. He was released on 13 February after being proven innocent. Additionally, Fatima Bibi and Liaqat were called to the police station and were convicted after an inquiry, proving them guilty.

In the First Information Report (FIR) filed on February 10, Fatima Bibi asserted that she and her husband Amanat Ali had converted to Islam. She claimed that while she was reciting the Holy Quran at home, Younas Masih entered and initiated a quarrel, during which he threw the Holy Quran on the floor, tore its verses, and cast it on the ground. She further alleged that Masif threatened her, saying, “If you do not obey me, I will cast you out of the house.”

On February 14, an FIR was registered in the city police station against Amanat Ali, the individual, along with his wife Fatima, was arrested and found guilty in the blasphemy case filed at the local police station, according to HRFP press release. He escaped from the police van while Fatima Bibi was in the custody of the district jail in Faisalabad. Later, Amanat Ali was arrested again in another city and sent to jail.

HRFP President Naveed Walter applauded the action of the police in proving Younas Masif innocent. In the press release, he said, “Younas Masih, and his family will reside in hiding for a longer time, because of the sensitivity of their matter. Even the charges have been annulled by police investigations but as the case goes through court, Younas could be called throughout, and the threats from the religious fundamentalists would be remained.”

“HRFP was concerned about how Amanat Ali ran away from the police van; but the good thing is he was arrested again. The repealing of blasphemy laws and protections of blasphemy victims and families whether they are in prisons or not, is an ultimate demand of HRFP,” he added.