Human rights activist Joseph Janssen is urging the West to remember the plight of persecuted Christians in Pakistan. As the founder of Voice for Justice, Janssen emphasizes that Western pressure is crucial in ensuring the rights of Christians are respected and ending forced conversions of girls and unjust convictions under the blasphemy law.
Pakistan, a country founded as a secular state in 1947, has seen Islamic law play a significant role in its legal system since the 1970s. The 1973 Constitution established Islam as the state religion, and while it guarantees religious minorities the right to practice their faith, reality tells a different story. Christians and other minorities face mistreatment, abuse, and persecution, with many being unaware that these actions violate their religious freedom.
The blasphemy law is a significant burden on minorities, with no clear definition of blasphemy, allowing any situation to be considered an attack on Islam or the Prophet Muhammad, punishable by death. The case of Asia Bibi, who was sentenced to death for drinking water from a cup used by her Muslim companions, highlights the law’s brutality. After years of appeals and international pressure, Bibi was finally released and now lives outside Pakistan.
Janssen’s call to action emphasizes the need for Western pressure to bring about change in Pakistan. With 96.47% of Pakistan’s 208 million inhabitants identifying as Muslim and 1.9% as Christian, the plight of persecuted Christians must not be forgotten.