PAKISTAN: Christians suffering as second-class citizens
By John Newton
Christians praying in a church in Pakistan
The UK director of Aid to the Church in Need has spoken out against the “appalling” suffering of Christians in Pakistan following the rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl.
The comments of Neville Kyrke-Smith follow the violent death of 12-year-old Christian girl Shazia Bashir in Lahore, east Pakistan.
The girl was displaying signs of violence and torture when she was taken to Jinnah Hospital in Lahore on Friday 22nd January. Doctors were unable to save her.
The girl’s parents claim they had been forbidden to see Miss Bashir for several days before her death.
Mr Kyrke-Smith said: “As in so many parts of the world, Christians are degraded, abused or suffer appallingly for being seen as outsiders, the lowest of the low or associated with the West.
“They feel unprotected – and such a terrible case shows the need for our solidarity in faith and action.”
His words follow a strong statement from the chairman of the country’s Justice and Peace commission Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha of Lahore and its executive secretary Peter Jacob.
In their statement they stressed that this was not an isolated incident of violence but that domestic servants frequently suffered extreme violence.
Reports suggest that Christian girls from poorer families are more likely to be physically or sexually abused by their employers.
Francis Sada, Director of the Christian Study Centre in Rawalpindi spoke about the events to Vatican news agency Fides.
He said: “Christians in society, especially poor families, suffer all forms of violence and bullying. We have documented a litany of cases that bear witness to this.
“The police and the government do not do much to protect us and often many cases end in impunity.”
Police initially refused to accept any complaint in the case of Shazia Bashir, but Christians and Muslims protested outside the Punjab Assembly for three hours on 23rd January demanding action.
Thousands attended the funeral on Monday ,25th January in Lahore, including Christian bishops from all denominations.
The following day her former employer Chaudhry Naeem appeared in court in connection with her death. The judge has adjourned the hearing until Wednesday, 3rd February.
Miss Bashir was supporting her parents and eight-year-old brother. Her income was 1,000 rupees (£13.50) a month.
Last year Aid to the Church in Need highlighted the terrible conditions endure in Pakistan – particularly the threat they face from the Blasphemy Laws – during the visit of Bishop Joseph Coutts of Faisalabad.
The charity expressed its continuing support for Christians in the country.
Mr Kyrke-Smith said: “The human rights and dignity of Christians in Pakistan are frequently abused.
“This terrible case shows the need for Aid to the Church in Need to deepen our support for Christian communities in Pakistan and to exert pressure on the government.”
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