ICC’s Pakistan Representative

04/03/2017 Washington, D.C. (International Christian Concern) – Last week, a public prosecutor, Syed Anees Shah, offered 42 Christian prisoners acquittal of murder charges in exchange for the prisoners’ conversion to Islam. The local media quoted Shah as admitting that “if they embrace Islam, he [the prosecutor] can guarantee them their acquittal in this case.”

These Christians have been imprisoned since March 2015, when two suicide bombers attacked several churches in Youhanabad, killing and injuring dozens of Christians. Many Christians in Youhanabad believe that little was done to catch those responsible and, shortly after the attack, two Muslim men were found lynched. The government alleged that these 42 Christians were involved and arrested them. While some of the imprisoned may be guilty, the investigation has been poorly conducted and some innocent men are suffering in jail.

Following Shah’s statement, several leaders of Pakistan’s Christian community condemned the offer, raising serious concerns over the fairness of the case proceedings, justice of the investigation, and the prisoners’ safety.

Human rights activist Sajid Christopher called the offer a “coward act.” He continued, “This [offer] is a severe violation of freedom of religion and strict action should be taken against him [the prosecutor].”

Tahir Naveed Chaudhary, Chairman of Pakistan Minorities Alliance (PMA) told International Christian Concern (ICC), “The offer made by the prosecutor shows the prevailing mindset of religious extremism of the authorities. This ‘offer’ will create problems for the trial court and day-to-day life of the prisoners in the jail.”

Chaudhary acknowledged the broader context of religious freedom in Pakistan when he said, “It is [a] very alarming situation for Christians in Pakistan. We [Christians] are already facing challenges and hurdles to enjoy freedom of religion, and this recent trend of converting victims to Islam will damage the Christian community more.”

Professor Anjum James Paul echoed Chaudhary’s claim that the prosecutor’s offer is a broader representation of religious discrimination within the government. “The state actors are the hurdles in promoting religious diversity,” contended Professor Paul. “They do not want Christians to enjoy their lives.”

Father Inayat Bernard, rector of Saint Mary’s seminary in Lahore, agreed with Professor Paul when he said that this is a strategy to “humiliate Christians.”

Christian leaders considered the recent offer’s implications for the future of religious freedom and expressed discouragement. Professor Paul said, “If this situation continues, I don’t see any Christian living in this country in next couple of decades. Disrespecting others’ religion is a heinous crime and, therefore, it should be dealt [with] seriously.”

Father Inayat Bernard contends that, “by forcing Christian prisoners to convert to Islam, the public prosecutor himself has insulted Islam as well as given [a] bad name to Pakistan.”

Pakistan’s Christian leadership requested that Pakistan’s Chief Justice intervene to protect religious freedom and the prisoners. Regardless of the guilt or innocence of each prisoner, it is important that the investigation, trial, and potential punishment be adjudicated fairly, without religious bias against the 42 prisoners.