Persecution of Christians in Pakistan: Christians comprise only 1.2% of the nation’s population, but 3.5% of those who were accused of committing blasphemy in 2020. Pakistan’s blasphemy laws are frequently manipulated and misused in order to victimize Christians and other religious minorities, and leave them with no recourse, since all too often this happens with the approval of the relevant authorities.
The Order of Saint Andrew the Apostle, Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, calls upon the international human rights community to bring pressure upon the government of Pakistan to repeal these unjust laws, and allow the Orthodox Christians, Christians of other traditions, and people of all religions to practice their faiths in peace and live in peace.
For previous ChristianPersecution.com coverage of the persecution of Christians in Pakistan, see here.
“New Report on Pakistan’s Blasphemy Laws Documents 200 Accusations in 2020,” International Christian Concern, February 6, 2021:
02/06/2021 Pakistan (International Christian Concern) – According to a new report released by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), 2020 was the worst year on record regarding the abuse of Pakistan’s notorious blasphemy laws.
CSJ reports that at least 200 people were accused of committing blasphemy in Pakistan in 2020. Of that number, 75% were Muslims, 20% were Ahmadis, 3.5% were Christians and the remaining 1.5% were from other religions or were unidentified.
Since 1987, at least 1,855 people have been charged under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. According to CSJ, the 200 accusations in 2020 shows a significant acceleration in blasphemy accusations when compare to the 19 accusations registered in 1987.
In Pakistan, false accusations of blasphemy are widespread and often motivated by personal vendettas or religious hatred. Accusations are highly inflammatory and have the potential to spark mob lynchings, vigilante murders, and mass protests.
