Pakistan’s U.S. Ambassador Charged With Blasphemy

Pakistan has been working with the Obama Administration in an effort to create an international blasphemy standard [1]. Now one of its diplomats in Washington is accused of blasphemy herself. She has been accused of blasphemy by a businessman, an offense that carries the death penalty in Pakistan.

In violation of basic human rights, religious freedom, and free speech principles, Pakistan continues to prosecute anyone who utters a word that is derogatory to the Prophet Muhammad. This abusive charge was brought by a man who personifies the hate and intolerance behind the law. Businessman Muhammad Faheem Gill, 31, has been trying relentlessly to get Rehman charged and possibly put to death for simply speaking out against the law in a television interview in 2010. Gill was delighted that his efforts had finally resulted in a charge after three years of petitions. When police refused to file the charge, Gill went to the Supreme Court. He is entirely proud of leading the effort to execute people for simply speaking their minds about the laws of their nation. He is simply the face of the mob. Over fifty people have been killed after being accused of blasphemy since 1990.

Rehman has a stellar record, including the following journalistic and public interest credentials [2].

"Sherry Rehman was the founding Chair of the Jinnah Institute, a non-partisan public policy think tank committed to the strengthening of democracy, governance and an independent national security project in Pakistan. One of its main priorities is re-gaining space for moderate voices in the context of an extremist advance. She co-chaired several track-two strategic dialogues with India, and was convener of a similar institutionalized dialogue process between Pakistan and Afghanistan. She lectures widely on strategic security challenges facing Pakistan, and was a key member of the Legislative Councils that govern both Azad Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. Sherry Rehman also served as Chairperson of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society.

Rehman is also an award-winning journalist from Pakistan with 20 years of experience in both the broadcast and the print media. Former editor of the “Herald” newsmagazine based in Pakistan, she graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Smith College, USA, where she studied Government and Art History. In her capacity as a senior journalist, Rehman was the first Pakistani media person to be recognized by the UK House of Lords for independent journalism at the Annual British Muslim Ceremony in 2002."

While she is a patriot for her nation, we would be fortunate if Rehman would consider asking for asylum in his country where she would be able to continue her reform advocacy. There remain many progressive and modern intellectuals in Pakistan, but these charges are designed to create a chilling effect to keep them silent by Muslim extremists. As Pakistan turns more and more toward religious orthodoxy, voices like Rehman cannot be lost to the mob or hateful troglodites like Gill.

Jonathan Turley

Source : Reuters

* http://jonathanturley.org/2013/02/22/pakistans-u-s-ambassador-charged-with-blasphemy/

 Pakistan Ambassador Sherry Rehman under investigation for being against blasphemy law

She could be tried and get life in prison or death in the case of a conviction,. Supreme Court justices accepted the petition of a Multan businessman who had filed a complaint years ago. Ms Rehman had called for changes to the black law. The court’s ruling outrages activists and Catholic leaders.

Islamabad (AsiaNews) - Pakistan’s Supreme Court has authorised an investigation on blasphemy charges of Sherry Rehman, Pakistani ambassador to the United States and a leader in President Asif Ali Zardari’s Pakistan People’s Party (PPP). Coming years after a complaint was lodged against her, the court’s decision has caused an uproar among civil society groups and the Catholic Church.

Such an investigation is another example of the abusive use of the ’black law’, which has already cost the lives of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer (murdered on 4 January 2011) and Minority Minister Shahbaz Bhatti (a Catholic who was shot 30 times on 2 March 2011).

The case against the diplomat goes back to the fall of 2010 when Asia Bibi affair became front page news around the world. Ms Bibi is a Christian mother of five sentenced to death on blasphemy charges who is still waiting for her appeal to be heard.

During a talk show and in an interview with AsiaNews, Ms Rehman called for changes to the blasphemy law to prevent abuses. To this effect, she presented a draft proposal in parliament, which was eventually dropped a few months later following threats against her from Islamic groups.

After she came out against the law, a businessman in Multan (Punjab), Muhammad Faheem, filed a complaint against her for blasphemy, a charge that can end in life in prison and even the death penalty. Initially, police turned down his application, but he persisted and went to the High Court and eventually the Supreme Court, which yesterday agreed with his request.

In the meantime, Ms Rehman was sent to Washington as ambassador to protect her from vendettas or attacks. Now she faces arrest and possibly a long sentence.

Human rights groups and activists have expressed their disappointment with the court’s decision, noting that it is further evidence of the abusive application of the blasphemy law, used more often than not against innocent victims like teenager Rimsha Masih.

M^gr Rufin Anthony, bishop of Islamabad-Rawalpindi, spoke to AsiaNews about the case. Visibly saddened by the decision, he explained that « the blasphemy law is used to settle personal disputes and vendettas. » In his view, it is now « time to call for interfaith harmony and reduce growing intolerance. »

Jibran Khan

* 02/22/2013 17:08
http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Pakistan-Ambassador-Sherry-Rehman-under-investigation-for-being-against-blasphemy-law-27214.html

 Sherry Rehman accused of blasphemy

MULTAN – Local police registered an accusation from a businessman on Thursday that Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States had committed blasphemy, a crime that carries the death penalty, in connection with a 2010 TV talk show.

The case against Sherry Rehman was brought by businessman Muhammad Faheem Gill, 31, who said that the comments Sherry made about the law on a talk show in 2010 were blasphemous.

“I’ve been trying to get this case registered for the last three years, ever since I saw that TV show,” Gill told Reuters. “I’ve even gone to the highest court. I’m glad that action will finally be taken now.” Gill went to the Supreme Court with his complaint after police refused to register it. The court ordered police in Multan to investigate.

Blasphemy accusations are on the rise, according to a report released by the Islamabad-based think tank, Center for Security Studies. At least 52 people accused of blasphemy have been killed since 1990. The charge is difficult to defend since blasphemy is not defined and courts often hesitate to hear evidence, fearful that reproducing it will also be blasphemy.

Sherry Rehman, a prominent member of the ruling Pakistan People’s Party, was appointed as ambassador to the United States in November 2011. She has already faced death threats from militants after calling for reforms to the anti-blasphemy law, according to court documents.

[The Nation] 22 Feb, 2013

* http://www.urduwire.com/en/news/sherry-rehman-accused-of-blasphemy_nid849940.aspx