Amnesty: Two killed in Pakistan over blasphemy charges in one month
Amnesty International announced on Sunday, October 6, that cases of killings on charges of blasphemy have increased in Pakistan. The organization reported that in September alone, at least two individuals were killed by police officers in the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan for alleged blasphemy.
Amnesty International noted that since the beginning of 2024, at least four people have been killed in Pakistan on blasphemy charges.
The organization added that in September, a 32-year-old Muslim doctor in the Umarkot district of Sindh province was killed by Pakistani police after being accused of blasphemy.
In the same month, a 52-year-old Muslim man, the owner of a hotel in Quetta, Balochistan, was also killed by police on similar charges.
Amnesty International highlighted that since Pakistan gained independence in 1947, 107 people have been killed on blasphemy charges. Among the victims, nine were teachers, and 48 belonged to religious minorities.
The organization has called on Pakistani authorities to take effective measures to prevent such incidents and hold those responsible for these killings accountable. Amnesty International also urged the government to repeal all blasphemy laws in the country.
Pakistan, founded on the religious beliefs of its people, continues to show extreme sensitivity towards matters of religion and blasphemy. Reports indicate that on several occasions, people accused of blasphemy have been subjected to mob justice without formal trials.
The recurring blasphemy-related violence not only raises concerns about human rights in Pakistan but also highlights the need for comprehensive legal reforms. International and domestic pressure is mounting for Pakistan to ensure the safety of its citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs, and to put an end to extrajudicial punishments.
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