In Pakistan, calls for ‘swift justice’ after mob kills Christian
Christians in Pakistan are demanding that Punjab officials bring to justice the perpetrators of the fatal attack on Nazir Gill Masih in Sargodha.
In a report sent to Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), the Catholic Church’s National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP) echoed a statement issued by the Pakistan Catholic Bishops’ Conference, condemning the murder and the “persistent misuse of blasphemy laws.”
The report stated: “Swift and impartial justice must be served to restore faith in the legal system…and to hold police officials accountable for their inaction.” It demanded that “no false blasphemy charges be registered against any Christian and that protection be provided to them.”
The report outlines the NCJP’s thorough investigation into the events leading up to the accusation of blasphemy and the attack against Masih, and states that his neighbors “allegedly had a grudge against Masih’s family, who are Christian and relatively well-off, and his shoe business was doing quite well. There was a level of jealousy.”
The report detailed a series of peaceful protests organized by the NCJP and Archbishop Joseph Arshad, across various governmental and religious sites in Islamabad and Gujuranwala, in which members of the Christian community expressed outrage at the attack and demanded justice for Masih.
JP, a long-time project partner of ACN, also provided recommendations to the Pakistani authorities, aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future, improving law enforcement protocols, and fostering interfaith dialogue.
The NCJP, a long-time project partner of ACN, also provided recommendations to the Pakistani authorities, aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future, improving law enforcement protocols, and fostering interfaith dialogue. Among these recommendations were a judicial inquiry to establish accountability for the attack, as well as the provision of prompt financial compensation, legal support and trauma counselling for Masih’s family.
The report also calls for the implementation of security measures to provide protection for the Christian community and prevent false blasphemy charges from being filed against them in the future. The NCJP concluded their report by stating that the organization “remains committed to ensuring justice and peace, urging both local and international communities to support their efforts in protecting vulnerable populations.”
Masih died in the hospital on June 3rd, after being attacked by a mob on May 25th. The Christian, who was in his 70s, was treated at the Combined Military Hospital in Rawalpindi, where he had undergone two surgical procedures, but ultimately succumbed to head injuries.
The work of the Catholic Bishops’ National Commission for Justice and Peace in Pakistan has been closely supported by ACN for many years. This support includes the payment of fees for legal cases, the rehabilitation and reintegration of Christian victims of violence, and projects to protect at-risk Christian girls.
— Daniel Beurthe
