Christians suffer discrimination in Pakistani prisons

Published: 27 November 2011

Prison plea: Catholic lawyer Moazzam Aslam Bhatti is working for justice for Christian prisoners in Pakistan
Picture: ACN News

PAKISTAN (ACN News): The Catholic lawyer Moazzam Aslam Bhatti, who works in Faisalabad, has told the international Catholic charity, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), that Christian prisoners in Pakistani jails are subject to particularly severe discrimination.

He said Christians were marginalised and disadvantaged everywhere in Pakistani society, but their situation in the prisons was particularly precarious.

Along with the Dominican Fathers who provide prison pastoral care in Faisalabad diocese, Mr Bhatti regularly visits Christian prisoners and provides legal aid.

Those in jail in the city include shopkeeper Imran Masih who was sentenced to life imprisonment in January 2010 under the country's Blasphemy Laws for allegedly burning pages of the Qur'an. Mr Masih denied the charge.

Mr Bhatti said it was alarming to note that many people jailed for minor offences could have been released if they had been able to pay the fines imposed on them.

Those affected also include children who are compelled to stay in prison together with their mothers.

Christians are also disadvantaged in the distribution of food, clothing and medicines, as well as in their ability to practise their religion.

Mr Bhatti said this situation must change.

Christian prisoners usually had no lawyer on account of their poverty and low social position.

Mr Bhatti said more legal aid must be provided to them in order to improve their situation.

Mr Bhatti, who studied in England, told ACN: "Despite receiving good job offers abroad, I returned to Pakistan in order to do whatever is in my power to help the people."

Although he can do little to change the situation, he is "proud to be able to do something for the people in this part of the world where Christians are oppressed and pushed to the margins".

Dominican Father Iftikhar Moon, who is responsible for prison pastoral care in Faisalabad diocese, said Faisalabad had a prison population of 5000, including 85 to 100 Christians.