Report By: Nina Rai
WASHINGTON, 1 Sept., 2012
Half a dozen bipartisan US Senators in a letter addressed to Pakistan President Asif Ali ZardariAsif Ali Zardari have demanded the release of a minor Christian girl who is being held in police custody on a ‘blasphemy’ charge. Rimsha Masih, 14 reportedly suffering from Downs Syndrome, is accused of burning pages from a religious textbook that included verses from the Quran.
A hospital report states Rimsha is aged around 14 but has the mental acumen of someone below that age and is illiterate. However other media reports mention her age as 11. There have been worldwide protests from religious and secular groups; and human rights activists over the arrest of the minor, who now faces the death penalty under the stringent Pakistani blasphemy laws.
As the Christian girl continues to be held in police custody, the six US Senators from across the political spectrum have taken it upon themselves to urge President Zardari to make a serious attempt to get the minor girl released at the earliest from her unfair confinement.
The Senators led by Robert Menendez from NJ, Roy BluntRoy Blunt, Ben CardinBen Cardin, Mark KirkMark Kirk, Bob Casey, and Mike JohannsMike Johanns in the letter have urged for an effort to tackle the issue of rising religious intolerance in Pakistan, as also ensure the safety and equal treatment under the Pakistani law for all citizens, irrespective of their religion.
Citing recent instances of religious discrimination including the present case of Rimsha Masih’s unjust confinement, the American Senators have drawn the attention of the Pakistan administration to the deteriorating situation for religious minorities in that country.
The letter states: "As you know, last week a young, mentally-disabled Christian girl, Rimsha Masih, was taken into custody in Islamabad for allegedly burning pages inscribed with verses from the holy Quran and was charged with blasphemy a crime that could be punishable by life in prison or death.”
The letter then goes on to state that the case being based only on allegations, has now forced Christian neighbors to run away due to fear of retaliation. “We have welcomed the efforts of Dr Paul Bhatti, the Prime Minister's Advisor on Interfaith Harmony, to aid the girl and her family and avoid violence."
"However, we remain deeply concerned that the law continues to victimize innocent people. We urge your government to do more to prevent abuse, as blasphemy allegations have resulted in the lengthy detention of, and violence committed against, Christians, Ahmadis, Hindus and other religious minorities, as well as members of the Muslim majority community," the Senators wrote.
Source: The News.com
