‘Climate of impunity’: Pakistan failed to prosecute suspects in anti-Christian rampage, says Amnesty International

A year after arson and mob attacks against Christians in a Pakistani city, the government has failed to charge more than 90% of suspects or conduct trials of those arrested, the human rights group Amnesty International says. 

“Despite the authorities’ assurances of accountability, the grossly inadequate action has allowed a climate of impunity for the perpetrators of the Jaranwala violence,” said Babu Ram Pant, the group’s deputy regional director for South Asia. 

The attacks happened after allegations of blasphemy against a local Christian and his friend “desecrating pages from a Quran,” the Associated Press reported.  

The allegations were proven false, but they still triggered mob attacks against 20 churches and more than 80 houses, according to Amnesty International.  

“The violence and the inadequate response by the authorities has left Christians in Jaranwala living in fear as they face continued threats and marginalization. … Religious leaders who incited the mob still roam free and continue to exercise influence in the area.” 

‘Judicial apartheid’ 

Of the 5,213 accused in the incident, 380 were arrested while 4,833 remain at large, according to information received by the human rights group from police. 

Meanwhile, 228 of those arrested have been released on bail while 77 had charges against them dropped. 

The group notes “a double standard” in the country’s legal system against Christians. While trials for those arrested in connection with the Jaranwala violence haven’t begun, a 27-year-old Christian man was sentenced to death in July for causing the riots “through an allegedly blasphemous video on TikTok.” 

Bishop Azad Mazall, president and moderator of the Church of Pakistan, described this as “judicial apartheid” and urged authorities to take stronger action against perpetrators of the rampage. 

“Things have deteriorated since Jaranwala,” he said. “You cannot just displace people one day and expect that by replacing their things or repairing buildings, you will make them feel safe and comfortable again.” 

About 40% of the Christian families who suffered losses during the attack are awaiting promised compensation of 2 million rupees, which amounts to about 7,200 U.S. dollars, the group says. 

“We saw our houses in complete shambles, like the building would soon collapse,” the group quoted a Christian woman from Jaranwala, whose name was changed to protect her identity. “And to date, we have received no support.” 

The woman also noted her husband has been unemployed since the incident because of continuing stigma against minority Christians in the area. 

Pant called for the nation’s authorities to complete “a thorough, impartial and independent investigation” into the attacks and repeal blasphemy laws. 

“It is high time that Pakistan does away with this legalized system of discrimination and violence,” he said, “to create safe spaces for minorities in the country.”