Share this story!            

Amnesty writes to Musharraf on Yousaf’s murder

LAHORE: The human rights group Amnesty International wrote to President Musharraf about the organisation’s disdmay over the murder of Yousaf Ali, whom local clerics called Yousaf Kazab (kazab meaning liar), who was incarcerated for alleged blasphemy. Yousaf was sentenced to death, but subsequently murdered by a fellow prisoner said to belong to a religious group.

The letter informed the president that the AI was deeply concerned at the killing of Yousuf Ali in Kot Lakhpat Jail in Lahore by another prisoner on June 11, 2002. It said it considered Yousuf Ali to have been a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for his conscientiously held religious beliefs. “He was tried and convicted in a trial that fell considerably short of international standards on fair trials.” Amnesty International feared in the letter that other people detained on blasphemy charges may face similar risks to their lives and physical safety, while the blasphemy law itself continued to contribute to an atmosphere in which religiously motivated violence flourished. It asked that the law be amended or abolished to prevent abuse. The letter said AI did not take any position on religious creeds or political opinion of anyone but insisted on the right of anyone under international standards to hold and profess such views and opinions.

Home | Main

Share this story!