Hotline Asia Urgent Appeals -- SUA040518(1)

Action Requested || Sample Letter || Background
Please respond before 26 May 2004
Update

Summary

Javed Anjum, a Christian youth (19) died after he was severely tortured by a teacher and students of an Islamic seminary at Toba Tek Singh, Punjab. On 17 April 2004, he was drinking water from a tap outside the seminary, when he was abducted and tortured severely for five days for allegedly stealing the water pump. He was handed over to the police on 22 April on charges of robbery, but due to his critical physical condition, he was taken to the hospital and died from his injuries on 2 May.

According to the statement he gave in his death bed, Javed Anjum claimed that he was forced to convert to Islam, and upon his refusal, was tortured. The police had initially refused to register a case against the perpetrators, allegedly because of the influence of religious parties. Arrests were only made on 5 May and the court hearing is expected to be held in the next two weeks. Meanwhile, it is alleged that the victim's family is being asked to compromise and withdraw the case.

The National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP), a human rights body of the Catholic Church, has strongly condemned the circumstance in which Javed Anjum died. The Commission's statement said that trends reflected in the recent incidents of forced conversions were extremely worrying.

Action Requested

Please write polite letters to express your concern about the torture and death of Javed Anjum, and the lack of justice in cases of forced conversion in Pakistan. Request the authorities to ensure:

1. timely action and investigation against perpetrators of the forced conversion, torture and death of Javed Anjum, in accordance with the law;

2. that the government of Punjab province take long term steps to root out religious intolerance and insecurity of minorities; and

3. that the federal government guarantees equality of rights and opportunities to build a society based on justice, peace and human rights in accordance with international standards and the constitution.

Sample Letter

Background

Forced Conversion and Torture
Javed Anjum, a resident of Quetta, was visiting his relatives in Toba Tek Singh. On April 17, 2004, he was drinking water from a tap outside Madrasa Jamia Hassan when the superintendent of the seminary enquired about his identity. When the students of the Islamic seminary came to know that Javed was a Christian they took him into the seminary and forced him to convert to Islam. On refusal, the teacher, along with his students, tortured him severely for five days. Two of Javed's finger-nails were pulled out, his body was burnt with hot iron rods and was also given electric shocks. According to the hospital record, he had 26 injuries and three fractures on his left arm. By the time he reached the Allied Hospital (Faisalabad) on 2 May 2004, his kidneys had failed and he had lost his eyesight.

According to his death bed statement, Javed claims he was forced by his captors to convert to Islam, however the police refused to register this. The police also refused to register the religious seminary teacher (Maulana Ghulam Rasool) and his students' name for 10 days. His family is still fighting for justice on the case.

Situation of Religious Freedom and Conversion
The right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion (including freedom to change religion or belief) is guaranteed under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 18). In Pakistan, the right to practice and propagate religion, and to maintain and manage religious institution, is guaranteed under Article 20 of the Constitution of Pakistan.

However, in spite of safeguards for religious freedom of individuals and free profession of all faiths, laws and policies against religious minorities in Pakistan remain, and instances of religious intolerance have grown in the society. In recent years, militant Islamic organizations have apparently targeted Christian minorities in Pakistan, and several violent attacks have been carried out. 45 lives have been lost in these attacks since October 2001.

There were also a number of incidents where Muslim zealots tried to convert Christians. The National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP) has recorded that 646 non-Muslims converted to Islam between 1999 and 2003. It is claimed that religious intolerance and discrimination is the reason behind the recent incidents where young non-Muslims were forcibly converted and circumcised.

These situations tend to create insecurity and fear among the minorities, especially when there is lack of action to bring the perpetrators to justice in accordance with the law.

Local Response
The NCJP strongly condemned the circumstances of Javed Anjum's death and has demanded that the case be registered under proper provisions. Further, they have asked the government in Punjab not to merely serve justice in Javed Anjum's case, but "to take long-term measures to root out religious hatred and promote obedience to law, while enforcing provisions against hate crimes."

Protest demonstrations by civil society organizations were held on 6 and 7 May 2004 in Lahore and Toba Tek Singh. Prayers are requested as they continue to struggle for justice.

Further information:
http://www.asianews.it/view.php?l=en&art=781 Asia News
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/showarchive.php?date=2004-05-11 Catholic News
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_13-5-2004_pg7_13 Daily Times 13May

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