In case you missed it, you can read Part 1 here.

03/26/2019 Washington D.C. (International Christian Concern) – When Yaqoob appeared before the court on June 23, his shirt and face were covered in dried blood. Justice Javaid Iqbal asked what hap­pened and Yaqoob shared the events of the previous night. Justice Iqbal then ordered Yaqoob to be moved to a separate cell and for the other prisoners to testify about the incident.

Justice Iqbal’s sympathy was a rare respite for Yaqoob and his fam­ily. The young Christian found little sympathy from other courts and Pakistan’s prison system. His appeals for bail were twice rejected, once by the Session Court and then again by the High Court of Hyderabad. Yaqoob also suffered five bouts of serious illnesses due to the poor prison conditions and lack of adequate medical care.

Since the day Yaqoob was accused until his conviction, his family reports being continuously monitored by extremist groups. According to Kasuar Bibi, these groups have repeatedly threatened and harassed them during court hearings.

“It’s unbearable and unjust,” Kasuar Bibi told ICC. “My son is inno­cent. He did not insult or do blasphemy. He does not care much of these issues as his mind works differently than that of a normal person’s.”

“I am illiterate and don’t know much about laws and policies; how­ever, I just want justice for my son and to see him at home as soon as possible,” Kasuar concluded.

In October 2018, Yaqoob’s defense team filed an appeal against his life sentence. While this is a positive step, it may still take years for that appeal to be heard.

“The blasphemy laws need reform,” Imtiaz Amanat, Legal Aid Coordinator at the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, told ICC. “There are a number of case studies where these laws have been misused against the most vulnerable segments of the society. Yet, these laws are mute about mentally disabled persons, children, and intention. Because of this, these laws have created an atmo­sphere of fear in Pakistan.”

“Keeping mentally disabled persons in mind, the government should introduce amendments to these laws and extend relief to innocent citi­zens,” Amanat concluded.

While these legal changes would be a positive step forward, they will do little for Yaqoob and his family, who have already fallen victim to the blasphemy laws. Following his sentencing, Yaqoob is set to spend several years in prison as a convicted blasphemer, which has already proven dangerous. Yaqoob’s family will also have to endure the stigma of being related to a blasphemer – something equally as difficult in Pakistan’s increasingly intolerant society.

For interviews, please contact Olivia Miller, Communications Coordinator: [email protected]