For Suneel’s family, this was only the beginning of their suffering. Since the murder of their relative, they have been harassed and bullied by individuals connected with the Services Hospital.
“I am experiencing pervasive discrimination in the process of getting justice for my son,” Saleem Masih, Suneel’s father, told ICC. “The hospital administration was not willing to issue Suneel’s death certificate with his cause of death. However, after the intervention of the Department of Motorway Police, where Suneel was an employee, it was issued mentioning the death as ‘killed.’”
“Due to threats, our children are not going to school and are not going out to play,” Masih continued.
Recently, a stranger appeared at Masih’s house acting as an investigating police officer. He filmed the family’s house and the family members. However, it was later revealed that this individual was a spy for the hospital administration. He was handed over to the local police, but the police reportedly released him without further inquiry
Over a week ago, the police asked Aneel Masih, Suneel’s brother, to help them identify the area of the hospital where the incident took place. Aneel went with the police to identify the location, but the medical superintendent of the hospital later submitted a criminal complaint against Aneel, alleging that he was intruding into the hospital and threatening the hospital staff.
“Suneel and his sister were mistreated by the medical staff,” Father Qaisar Feroz said shortly after leading Suneel’s memorial service. “We are sad and strongly condemn the discriminatory attitude, injustice, and violence that was carried out by the hospital staff on this young Christian man.”
“We have little hope that the grieved family would find justice,” Illyas Bhatti, a local community leader told ICC. “They will be engaged in lengthy procedural actions and meanwhile will be pressurized and threatened by influential persons to withdraw the case. Vulnerability increases when the victim is from a minority community.”
“Space for religious minorities is shrinking rapidly in Pakistan,” Javed David, Chairman of Hope for Light Ministries, explained to ICC. “Ironically, personnel in government departments are encouraging this trend in one or the other way. The government and law enforcement agencies must take firm steps to counter this trend, but we often find a lack of political will in this regard.”
For interviews with William Stark, Regional Manager, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: press@persecution.org