Although Pakistan’s blasphemy laws are officially intended to protect religious sentiments, the report highlights a deeply troubling pattern: false or manipulated accusations are being lodged with the purpose of evicting vulnerable owners or extracting money.
While the removal of the death penalty for two relatively obscure crimes was welcomed by international rights groups, many activists argue the government’s action is insufficient.
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) had initially ordered the formation of a commission to probe the misuse of the law, but that decision was overturned last week, triggering outrage and disappointment among victims’ families.
A delegation of human rights and religious freedom advocates is visiting the United Nations this week to increase support among UN Member States for...
The decision to open the door to external payment of fines is a pragmatic acknowledgement that not every person currently incarcerated needs to remain there.
Cherevko’s message was clear: the window for preventing a deeper emergency is closing. “We must act before winter, not after families have exhausted their options.”
The UN appeal comes at a moment when humanitarian funding is already stretched by multiple crises. While CERF has provided rapid support, broader donor commitments remain insufficient relative to the scale of projected need.
The decision to open the door to external payment of fines is a pragmatic acknowledgement that not every person currently incarcerated needs to remain there.
Cherevko’s message was clear: the window for preventing a deeper emergency is closing. “We must act before winter, not after families have exhausted their options.”