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In a move that has sparked outrage among minority rights campaigners, a Christian man in Pakistan has been sentenced to death for sharing an allegedly blasphemous post on TikTok. The incident has reignited concerns about the misuse of blasphemy laws in the country, which have long been criticized for being used to persecute religious minorities.
The controversy began in August when a mob razed a Christian enclave in the eastern city of Jaranwala, destroying over 80 homes and 19 churches. The violence was sparked by allegations that a Koran had been torn and scrawled with offensive words, and stuck to the walls of a local mosque. Two Christian brothers were initially arrested for blasphemy but were later released after investigators found that they had been framed over a personal grudge.
However, 27-year-old Ehsan Masih, who shared a TikTok post related to the incident, was not so fortunate. Despite being illiterate and not adding any blasphemous content to the post, he was convicted of blasphemy by a court in eastern Sahiwal city and sentenced to death. His lawyer, Akmal Bhatti, has argued that the judgment was biased due to Masih's faith and that the real instigators of the riots in Jaranwala are still awaiting trial.
Why it Matters : The case highlights the dangers of Pakistan's blasphemy laws, which have been used to target religious minorities and settle personal scores. Human Rights Watch has warned that the laws have long been used abusively, and the conviction of Ehsan Masih is just the latest example of this trend. The incident has also sparked concerns about the safety of religious minorities in Pakistan, who make up around two percent of the population and are frequently targeted with blasphemy allegations.
Minority rights campaigners have been vocal in their criticism of the blasphemy laws, with Christian pastor Ghazala Shafiq saying that "day by day, Pakistan is becoming a country where minorities aren't safe anymore." The protesters, who gathered in the southern city of Karachi, carried banners decrying the "misuse of blasphemy laws" and called for reform.
The case has also raised questions about the role of social media in spreading hate speech and inciting violence. While Masih's TikTok post was shared widely, it was the speeches from mosques that instigated the riots in Jaranwala, not the social media post. The incident highlights the need for greater accountability and regulation of social media platforms to prevent the spread of hate speech.
Key Takeaways:
- Christian man in Pakistan sentenced to death for sharing alleged blasphemous TikTok post, sparking outcry.
- Incident reignites criticism over misuse of Pakistan's blasphemy laws against religious minorities.
- Ehsan Masih's case underscores dangers and criticisms of Pakistan's blasphemy laws.
- Calls for stricter regulation of social media to curb hate speech.
- Safety concerns persist for Pakistan's Christian minority, who face frequent blasphemy allegations.