Pakistan Under International Pressure to Reform Blasphemy Laws

March 9, 2018 — ICC Note: Pakistan has come under increasing pressure to reform its notorious blasphemy laws. Often abused, these laws are widely used to settle personal scores or incite religious hatred against...

Asia Bibi’s Lawyer Believes Presidential Pardon to be Unlikely

March 7, 2018 — ICC Note: Saif-ul-Malook, the lawyer of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman on death row in Pakistan for committing blasphemy, says he does not think a presidential pardon will be possible...

Pakistani Christians Protest Against Police Brutality in Lahore

March 6, 2018 — ICC Note: Hundreds of Christians gathered in front of the Punjab Assembly in Lahore last week to demand justice for two Christian youths accused of blasphemy. Patras Masih and his...

Pakistan’s Blasphemy Laws Persecute the Weakest of the Weak

March 3, 2018 — ICC Note: Last Saturday, Rome’s Colosseum was lit red to support persecuted Christians around the world. On the same day, Pope Francis met with the family of Asia Bibi, a...

Hundreds of Pakistani Christians Protest Torture of Youths Accused of Blasphemy

March 2, 2018 — ICC Note: More than 200 Christians gathered in protest outside of the Punjab Assembly in Lahore demanding justice for two Christian youths tortured by police. Patras Masih and his cousin...

Has Pakistan’s Top Court Failed Asia Bibi?

March 1, 2018 — ICC Note: Pakistan’s top court has issued over two dozen suo motu (on its own motion) notices in the past month. These notices cover a range of issues including extrajudicial...

Family of Tortured Christian in Pakistan Demand Answers from Police

March 1, 2018 — ICC Note: The family of a Christian who was severely injured attempting to escape police torture in Pakistan are demanding answers as to why their relative was targeted by police....

Asia Bibi’s Family Meets and Prays with Pope Francis

February 27, 2018 — ICC Note: The family of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman convicted of blasphemy in Pakistan, met with Pope Francis last weekend and prayed for Bibi’s release. The papal meeting came...

EU Makes Renewal of Trade Deal with Pakistan Dependent on Release of Asia Bibi

February 26, 2018 — ICC Note: The European Union (EU) has made the renewal of a preferential trade deal with Pakistan dependent on the release of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman on death row...

Pakistani Christian Accused of Blasphemy Attempts Suicide After Police Torture

February 26, 2018 — ICC Note: A Christian youth and his cousin in Pakistan were reportedly tortured by security authorities after they were accused of committing blasphemy. As a result of this torture, Sajid...

Christians and Muslims Sign Peace Accord Following Blasphemy Accusation in Pakistan

February 23, 2018 — ICC Note: Christian and Muslim leaders in Pakistan have signed a peace accord restoring calm to Shahdara following an accusation of blasphemy. On Monday, a Christian teen from Shahdara was...

800 Christian Families Flee Their Homes in Pakistan Fearing Mob Violence

February 22, 2018 — ICC Note: At least 800 Christian families in the Shahdara neighborhood of Lahore, Pakistan fled their homes earlier this week fearing mob violence. A blasphemy allegation against a Christian teen...

Imprisoned Former Christian Jakarta Governor Seeks Conviction Review

February 21, 2018 — ICC Note: Former Christian Jakarta governor Ahok has filed for a review of his 2016 conviction for blasphemy. He was sentenced last year to a two-year jail term after hardline Muslims...

Pakistan Proposes Stricter Punishments for False Blasphemy Accusations

February 21, 2018 — ICC Note: Pakistan’s Interior Ministry proposed amendments to the country’s penal code regarding punishments for false blasphemy accusations. These proposed amendments, which would impose stricter punishments, were submitted to the...

Christian Youth in Pakistan Accused of Posting Blasphemous Content on Social Media

February 20, 2018 — ICC Note: A Christian youth in Lahore, Pakistan, has been accused of posting allegedly blasphemous content about Muslim holy places on social media. Following the accusation, hundreds of religious activists...

EU to Link Preferential Trade Status With Release of Asia Bibi in Pakistan

January 31, 2018 — ICC Note: On a recent trip to Pakistan, the European Union's special envoy for religious freedom, Jan Figel, indicated that Pakistan preferential trade status with the EU would be directly...