A fire-ravaged church and a grieving woman and boy. TT.
Pakistan's blasphemy law
Pakistani churches on fire after blasphemy accusations
Eight churches and several homes have been vandalized in Pakistan, CNN reports. According to the news channel, it is a larger group of Muslims who are behind the destruction because it is believed that Christians blasphemed Islam and the Prophet Muhammad.
The National Commission for Human Rights calls the vandalism "sad and shameful".
The police have arrested around a hundred people and started an investigation into the violence. Two Christians have also been arrested on suspicion of violating the blasphemy laws. The crime is punishable by death.
Various Christian groups protest the violence. K.M. Chaudary / AP
Pakistan's blasphemy law
Witnesses: The police let the violence continue without intervening
The violence against churches and homes belonging to Christians in Pakistan was allowed to continue for more than ten hours without the police who were on the scene doing anything, residents in the area say according to the news agency Reuters. However, the police deny that they would have allowed the riots to continue. Instead, it is stated that security forces ensured that the situation did not get even worse.
It was last Wednesday that a large group of Muslims set fire to churches and homes belonging to the Christian minority in the Punjab region. The violence followed accusations that Christians had blasphemed Islam, a crime punishable by death.
Health Minister Anwar ul Haq Kakar says minorities must be protected at all costs, and promises action against the perpetrators of violence.
The police have arrested over a hundred people. They have also arrested two Christians, who are accused of violating the blasphemy laws.
Inga kommentarer:
Skicka en kommentar