"YOU ARE AN ENEMY OF ISLAM"
Christian Lawyer Threatened for Defending Blasphemy Case.
Muslim Attorney also Threatened.

PAKISTAN

27 June 2002

Pervaiz Aslam Chaudry, the Christian lawyer who is currently
defending Pakistani Christians Saleem, Rasheed and Aslam Masih,
as well as Wajihul Hassan (a Muslim) on blasphemy charges is
facing intimidation and death threats.

Pervaiz and his wife had received a number of threatening
phone calls at their home in Lahore in recent weeks, and Pervaiz
had noticed that his movements were being followed by a man on
a motorcycle.  Then on 8 June Pervaiz's car was surrounded by
four men on motorbikes who forced him to pull over and shouted
threats and abuse saying "This is your last warning . Stop this
case of Wajihul Hassan today or you will be killed."  The same
day in Faisalabad four men turned up at the home of Khalil Tahir,
a Muslim attorney who also defends blasphemy cases, after he had
left for work.  His wife refused to let them in.  On 28 May the
family received a threatening late night call in which Khalil's
wife was told "Your children, you and your husband will be
killed" and, when he took the phone, Khalil was warned "Your days
are numbered now.  Soon you will be no more."

Days after the two lawyers received the threats CLAAS (a
Pakistani Christian legal group) reported that Yousaf Ali, a
Muslim facing a death sentence for blasphemy, was shot and
killed by fellow inmate Tariq Mota in Kot Lakhpat jail, Lahore. 
Tariq is a member of Sipah-e-Sahaba, an ultra-violent Sunni
Muslim militant group.  There is serious concern as to how he
managed to be in possession of a pistol whilst in prison. 
Saleem and Rasheed Masih, two Christian brothers accused of
blasphemy, are being held in the same jail.

Under Sections 295 B & C of the Pakistan Penal Code (the
infamous "blasphemy law") any person defiling or damaging
a copy of the Qur'an can be sentenced to life imprisonment
whilst defaming the Islamic prophet Muhammad results in a
death sentence.  Because virtually no evidence is needed to
bring an accusation above the word of a Muslim witness the
law has often been misused to target Christians and other
minorities in order to settle personal grudges or rivalries. 
No one has yet been executed under the laws.  However, once
an accusation is made the victim is forever guilty in the
eyes of Islamic extremists.  Several Christians have been
assassinated by extremists; others have escaped attacks.
A judge has also been killed after he acquitted two Christians
accused of blasphemy.  In many cases relatives of the accused
have to leave their home village or town and move in secret
to a new area for their own safety.  Several Christians who
have been accused of blasphemy and acquitted have had to
leave the country after their release.

PRAY

Pray for Pervaiz, Khalil and the other brave lawyers who
defend Christians and others accused under Pakistan's
blasphemy laws.  Pray for protection and safety for them and
their families.  Ask the Lord to give them support and
courage in the face of threats and intimidation.

Pray for Saleem, Rasheed, Aslam and Ayub Masih, for Wajihul
Hassan, and for all of those in prison on blasphemy charges. 
Pray too for their families.

Pray that the blasphemy laws will be repealed or reformed. 
Pray for President Musharraf, the government and the courts
in Pakistan, that they might have the strength and courage to
make just decisions in relation to the blasphemy laws and not
give in to pressure from Muslim conservatives.



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