Dilemma of Pakistani Christian Asylum Seekers

Asia Bibi is free at last. She spent ten years in prison accused of insulting Islam and its   Prophet. She was charged by the state under the notorious Blasphemy Law known as        Section 295 – C of the Pakistan Penal Code. Anybody accused under this law and proven guilty is awarded death sentence. Bibi was given death sentence by the Shekhupura District Court which was later confirmed by Lahore High Court. She was kept in secluded death cell where she cooked her own food for fear of poisoning by the inmates and jail guards. She was finally acquitted of all charges against her. The Islamic clerics forced the Government to move the petition for review of the Supreme Court decision. The review was turned down by the judiciary. Even after having been cleared of all accusation, Asia Bibi was not allowed to leave the country. She was kept in a secret location under very special, heavy security. Her life was in danger because the Muslims did not approve the verdict of the Supreme Court.

Let’s analyze Asia’s story:

1. Zero Tolerance in Religious Matters:

The followers of Islam have no tolerance for any critical comments about their religious faith.  The mob physically abused Asia Bibi and ensured that she must be charged for insulting Islam and its prophet. They followed the case in the local courts and later in the High Court of appeal. When the Supreme Court of Pakistan ordered her acquittal, the entire country went into violent nation-wide protests. The main roads were closed, state and public properties were destroyed, State administrators, judges and the military heads were threatened of grave consequences. The Islamic clerics led the demonstrations rejecting the Supreme Court verdict. To them, Asia was a blasphemer who had insulted Islam and its Prophet. Therefore, she needed to be executed. To them the verdict of the Supreme Judiciary of the State was of no value. Rather, it was the voice of the Mullah which was more authentic. Everybody participating in the demonstration was looking for the opportunity to kill Asia Bibi and win an honourable place in Heaven.

It is not only Asia Bibi’s case that proves the extremely low tolerance level of Muslims for anything and anyone that criticizes Islam and its Prophet. Even reading the derogatory texts against Islam and its prophet is tantamount to blasphemy.

2. The Fear of Religious Fanatics in Pakistan

Asia’s case has shed light on the weaknesses of State’s institutions in providing safety and security to its citizens. The Government of Pakistan bowed down in front of the Islamic Clerics and the mob. The Islamic Clerics were given the assurance by the Government that Asia won’t be released or allowed exit from the country unless the Supreme Court verdict was reviewed. Although acquitted by the Supreme Court, Asia Bibi was placed under high security in a secret place in the country. Even after the review petition was turned down by the Supreme Court, Asia was not released until the Government of Canada agreed to offer her asylum. Asia is a citizen of Pakistan. It is the State’s responsibility to provide her safety and security to roam free and enjoy her life in her homeland. She is not a criminal. She has not done any harm to anyone. Why was she forced to leave her motherland? The answer is that the State fears the fundamental extremists.

3. Fear of Religious Fanatics All Over the World

Asia Bibi’s story also proves that the democratic states of the world, particularly the Western World are scared of the Islamic extremists. The Government of the UK flatly refused to give asylum to Asia Bibi because of the fear of repercussion from UK’s millions of Muslims who are also very sensitive to religious issues. Teresa May, the UK’s Prime Minister, turned down the petition signed by 50 MPs of UK’s parliament asking to offer asylum to Asia Bibi. Teresa May blocked the MPs request because she feared for the life of UKs diplomats in Pakistan. The UK Government is already wrestling with Islamic extremists in its own country. Several countries of Europe including Italy, France, Holland and even the United States of America, showed their inability to accept Asia Bibi in their country.

Canada has shown the courage to give shelter to Asia Bibi despite all these risks from the Islamic extremists. Bibi has arrived Canada and hopefully living in peace with her family. But even in Canada, Asia Bibi’s whereabouts are not disclosed to public. Members of her Christian community in Canada who are eager to meet her are unable to contact her. Her life is at risk even in a safe country like Canada. The Islamic diehards have vowed to track and kill her wherever in the world she goes.

4. No Place is Safe in Pakistan for a Person accused of Blasphemy

The story of Asia Bibi is a solid evidence that no corner of Pakistan is safe for a person accused of blasphemy under section 295 PPC. If any location of Pakistan was safe, Asia Bibi could easily have been moved there. Nobody knew where she was kept after her acquittal. One thing is known for sure that she was under heavy security provided by the special security forces of Pakistan because the civilian security agencies are not trustworthy and efficient enough to safeguard any citizen.

5. Pakistan is not a Safe Country for Christians

Asia Bibi’s story has proved, once and for all, that Pakistan is not a safe country for Christians and other religious minorities. Had it been a safe country, Asia Bibi and her family would not have left their homeland. Pakistan is an Islamic State. It is called the Islamic Republic of Pakistan with a very large Muslim majority. The Christians are only 1.6% of the population. Majority of the Christians are very low-class menial workers. They are physically, economically and socially incapable to meet the challenges from large and powerful Muslim majority.

There have been several cases of religious persecution at various levels. The Governor of Punjab, Salman Taseer, was assassinated by his security guard because Salman Taseer supported Asia Bibi. Shahbaz Bhatti, the Federal Minister of Minorities, was brutally murdered by religious fanatics in the capital city of Islamabad because he raised voice against the Blasphemy Law. Shama and Shehzad, brick-kiln workers, were burnt alive by the Muslim mob for allegedly burning Quranic pages. Sharoon Masih, a Christian school boy, was beaten to death by Muslim classmates for drinking from the cup of Muslim students. There is a long and never-ending list of horrendous tales of persecution.

6. The Indifferent Attitude of Immigration, Refugee & Citizenship Canada towards Christian Asylum Seekers from Pakistan

It’s a pity that despite all the above-mentioned facts and despite so much information regarding the persecution of Christians in Pakistan, the Ministry of Immigration, Refugees & citizenship Canada has very passive, cold and indifferent attitude towards cases of Pakistan’s Christian asylum seekers. There are over 14 cases of failed refugee claimants which have been sent to the Minister of Immigration by the Charismatic Social Integration of Canada (CSIOC) for review. There has been no response so far. It seems that the Ministry of Immigration is either unaware of the circumstances that prevail in Pakistan or the Ministry does not want to facilitate the failed refugee claimants. The CSIOC has repeatedly sent information to the Ministry of Immigration and Refugee Board updating them about the volatile situation in Pakistan and the risks the deportees will face if returned. So far, there has been no response from the Ministry of Immigration in this regard.

The CSIOC is an international non-profit organization that raises its voice for persecuted religious minorities.

References:

• “Why are Pakistan’s Christian Targeted?” BBC News, 30 October 2018 The BBC’s M Ilyas Khan explains more about the community and why it is being targeted.
• “Intense Persecution of Pakistani Christians Continued into the Second Half of 2018” A news report by International Christian Concern
• “HASSAN: Christians are brutally persecuted in Pakistan — they need our help”. A report by Farzana Hassan, Published in Toronto Sun, December 28, 2018
• “Persecution Against Pakistani Christians Discussed in the United Nations” News provided by European Organization for Pakistani Minorities Sep 21, 2017, 12:18
• Christians come under threat in Pakistan: ‘No one accused of blasphemy is ever safe’ Published by Pamela Constable in Washington Post, March 16, 2018
• “Untouchable’ caste identity haunts Pakistani Christians like Asia Bibi” Published I World Watch Monitor, November 1, 2018 By Asif Aqeel
• CBC News May 08, 2019: Christian woman acquitted of blasphemy in Pakistan arrives in Canada
• DW Asia: Asia Bibi released from jail, DW.com
• Global News May 8, 2019: Who is Asia Bibi? Pakistani woman accused of blasphemy granted asylum in Canada.
• Hudson Institute: The Lessons of the Asia Bibi Case, by Nina Shea, Director, Center for Religious Freedom, November 16, 2018
• Crux: Take – aways from landmark ruling in Pakistan blasphemy case. By John L. Allen Jr. Nov 1, 2018
• Opinion: Pakistan owes Asia Bibi an apology. By Shamil Shams, dw.com
• Open Doors: Breaking: Asia Bibi leaves Pakistan, safe in Canada. By Lindy Lowry, May 8, 2019
• 5 things Christians need to know about Asia Bibi and the Church in Pakistan. By Lindy Lowry in Asia, Stories of Persecution October 31, 2018`