Pakistan: Illiterate Christian couple sentenced to die for “blasphemous” texts

By Robert Spencer on May 31, 2014                

The Pakistani blasphemy laws are a tool for the persecution of Christians and an ongoing human rights abuse. But the International “human rights community” is indifferent — after all, no “Islamophobia” is being committed, so all is well.

“Illiterate Christian Couple Sentenced to Death in Pakistan for ‘Blasphemous’ Texts,” by Leah Marianne Klett, Gospel Herald, May 30, 2014:

A Christian couple was sentenced to death in Pakistan for committing “blasphemy” via text messages. However, lawyers say this will appeal the ruling, as both the man and woman are illiterate.

“We are seriously concerned. Cases like these are common and cause great suffering. We continue to pray, while the issue remains unresolved,” Fr. Aloysius Roy, Superior of the Pakistani province of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, told Fides News Agency in a report on Monday.

“We express our solidarity, but Christians keep a low profile, because life is full of difficulties and dangers, and for us the first commandment is to survive. Christians are afraid and they move with extreme caution.”

Shafqat Emmanuel is reportedly disabled, and his wife, Shagufta Kausar works as a waitress and is unable to read. Both were arrested in July of last year and sentenced to death last month.

Fr. Roy stated, “From the government we expect respect for the law, the rule of law and freedom of worship provided for in the Constitution.”

The couple’s lawyer say that the Sim card from the phone containing the messages was not registered in the couples name. While the contents of the texts have not been released, lawyers argue that the couple could not possibly have sent the messages, as the couple is illiterate.

William Stark, International Christian Concern’s regional manager for South Asia, told the Christian Post that Pakistan’s harsh blasphemy laws make criticizing Islam punishable by death.

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“Since the blasphemy laws were enacted in 1986, Christians and other religious minorities have been disproportionately accused and convicted of blasphemy. In 2013, 36 individuals were accused of blasphemy in Pakistan,” he stated.

“Of that 36, 30 were religious minorities, 12 of which were Christians. Given that Christians only make up 2% of Pakistan’s population, the fact that one third of blasphemy accusations made in 2013 were leveled against Christians is telling.”

Humanitarian group World Vision in Progress said that it will look after the couple’s four minor children.

“If a bold step would not be taken from the Christian community soon then it would become impossible for them to live in Pakistan,” the organization has said….

 http://www.jihadwatch.org/2014/05/pakistan-illiterate-christian-couple-sentenced-to-die-for-blasphemous-texts