Editor’s note: The International Christian Concern (ICC) reported this week on religious persecution of 300 million Christians globally. This story relates to Pakistan, one of the top four countries scoring highest by Pew Research in religious persecution.
In the contemporary world, people tend to focus more on their “rights” than on their “obligations.” Many countries have developed laws to ensure the protection of citizens’ rights, but one of the most frequently misused laws is “freedom of expression.”
This concept often treads a fine line between the legitimate exercise of free speech and the use of offensive comments.
The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) gives to everyone the right of freedom of opinion and expression. According to the Pew Research Center, the United States is the most tolerant country in terms of free speech, with 71% openness, allowing individuals to express their views freely. Conversely, some countries — including Pakistan, Ukraine, Japan, Vietnam, Jordan, and Lebanon — exhibit lower tolerance levels for freedom of expression.
Pakistan has strayed from the vision of its founder
Pakistan has strayed from the vision of its founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who envisioned a nation grounded in principles of justice, equality, and religious freedom. Despite these constitutional guarantees, the state has largely failed to uphold the rights of minorities. The discrimination has escalated into outright hostility, with hatred against Christians reaching alarming levels. Hate speech, an ongoing dilemma, has been perpetuated by the state, constitutional frameworks, political leaders, Islamic clergy and segments of the public. This rhetoric not only undermines social cohesion, but also fuels discrimination and violence against the Christian community in Pakistan.
State-sponsored hatred
The role of a state in any nation is to protect its citizens and foster peace among them. However, in Pakistan, the state itself has contributed to the promotion of hate speech and discriminatory practices, even through official documents. For example, when applying for a National Identification Card, citizens — regardless of their religion — are required to sign a declaration form issued by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).
This state-mandated declaration is not only an imposition, but also fosters exclusion, hatred and discrimination. It deeply hurts the sentiments of believers from other faithswho are explicitly targeted by this statement.
Constitutional-sponsored hatred
The Constitution of Pakistan institutionalizes discrimination and fosters a biased attitude toward religious minorities, which then permeates society. It states, “A person shall not be qualified for election as president unless he is a Muslim.” Furthermore, the exclusion of minorities from these top leadership roles sends a damaging message to society, reinforcing notions of second-class citizenship for non-Muslims.
Politicians-sponsored hatred
One of the former ministers made a shocking statement on national television while responding to a March 2015 attack where 14 Christians were killed and 70 injured. He declared, “It is justified to kill Christians as they are ‘Kafar’ (non-believers). The presence of hardliners with such mindsets in the “power corridors,” including the Senate, National Assembly, and provincial assemblies, poses significant challenges to the protection of minority rights.
Legal cover to hatred
In 1986, the penal code of Pakistan was amended introducing what is commonly referred to as the Blasphemy Law. This law prescribes life imprisonment or the death penalty for anyone found guilty of defiling the name of the prophet Muhammad (PBUH). While the provision ostensibly aims to safeguard religious sentiments, it has, in practice, become a tool for settling personal scores against Christians and other religious minorities. The law is often exploited to justify the use of derogatory remarks and acts of humiliation under the guise of religious sanctity.
The failure to investigate or reform the Blasphemy Law highlights its prioritization as a political tool rather than a genuine measure for religious harmony. The law’s unchecked application has perpetuated a culture of fear and injustice, disproportionately targeted religious minorities and fostering an environment of intolerance and hatred.
Mitigating factors that instigate hate speech
Hate speech persists, necessitating comprehensive action to mitigate its root causes. What is needed? The state should maintain equality based on citizenship; establish hate speech monitoring units; strengthen the justice system and rule of law; reform biased legislation, revisit discriminatory laws and make necessary amendments; promote Abrahamic accord; enhance religious freedom and interfaith harmony; establish an autonomous National Commission for Minority Affairs; address media accountability, and comply with international standards on freedom of speech.
Sajid Sandhu is a December graduate of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and resides in Louisville. He is a Christian apologist, development practitioner, social activist and politician. For further information, visit: https://sajidsandhu.com
Published on https://www.kentuckytoday.com/
