Christians concerned as Pakistan passes even harsher laws against non-Muslims
by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent
(Worthy News) – Christian leaders and civil rights advocates have expressed alarm at Pakistan’s recent passing of the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Act 2023, which increases already-harsh punishment for blasphemy offenses against Islam, and the National Commission for Minorities Bill 2023, which places minority rights at risk, the Christian Post (CP) reports.
Approved by Pakistan’s Senate this month, the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Act 2023, passed in Pakistan’s Senate this month, increases the sentence for insulting the Islamic prophet Muhammad’s companions, wives and family members from three years imprisonment to a minimum of ten years, up to life imprisonment, CP reports.
The National Commission for Minorities Bill 2023 was passed by the Senate in January, causing civil society and minority communities in Pakistan to warn it could be abused to harass and attack religious minorities, the UK-based Christian Solidarity Worldwide advocacy organization said in a report. The Minorities Bill has been criticized as being inconsistent with United Nations Human Rights standards set out in the Paris Principles.
In a statement expressing disappointment at the passage of the new legislation, CSW Founder President Mervyn Thomas said the Criminal Amendment Act 2023 would exacerbate the already precarious, exceedingly violent situation brought on by existing blasphemy laws. “Making the blasphemy laws more stringent could inflame the situation further and is the opposite of what is needed,” Thomas said.
Concerning the National Commission for Minorities Bill 2023, Thomas said: “[The Bill] is a missed opportunity to enact legislation that safeguards the rights of religious minorities in Pakistan as policymakers have failed to engage with the demands of civil society organizations and minority community leaders.”
Pakistan ranks 7th on the US Open Doors World Watch List 2023 of the top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted.
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