‘Fear of extremists’ prevents abolition of blasphemy law

The Government of Pakistan might be willing to abolish the country’s draconian blasphemy law, if it were not for the fact that it “fears the reaction of extremists”, says Archbishop Joseph Coutts of Karachi, pictured right, president of the Pakistan Bishops’ Conference, writes Filipe Avillez.

During a trip to Portugal, organised by Aid to the Church in Need, Archbishop Coutts applauded recent proposed modifications to the law that require psychological testing of people accused of blasphemy, in a move which recognises the need for safeguards. “Ever since this law was introduced, we as Christians have been protesting. The point that has finally got across is that it’s not just about the abolition of the law but the way the law is framed.

“We need safeguards to prevent the misuse of this law, which is what has been happening all along,” he said.

The blasphemy law is often used to target members of minorities or to settle personal scores. Many of the accused have been considered “mentally unsound”. Nobody has yet been executed under the law, which requires the death penalty for anyone who insults Islam, but dozens have been lynched or remain imprisoned for years. One such case is that of Asia Bibi, a 44-year-old Christian mother who has been jailed since 2009, although there are many more, including Muslims.