In April 2022 the elected Prime Minister Imran Khan was ousted through a no confidence motion in the National Assembly. The caretaker government took an oath promising to hold elections in October 2023. Like last year politics consumed much of Pakistan’s time and attention in 2023. Political instability paved the way for the worst economic crisis Pakistan has ever faced.
2023 proved a tough year for the Christian community living in Pakistan. There was a spike in the registration of blasphemy cases against Christians, which cemented the fact that this law has become a tool in the hands of the radical predators, who use it against weaker Christian community to confiscate their property, abduct and convert their minor girls or settle their personal dispute. In 2023 alone 17 Christians were charged under blasphemy laws.In May two young Christian boys Adil Babar 17 and Simon Nadeem 12 years old were arrested on the complaint of a
Muslim Constable Zahid Sohail. According to him, he heard the two boys making jokes about the Holy Prophet. A 295C case was registered on the complaint of Constable Zahid Sohail and the boys were arrested and sent to Camp Jail, Lahore.
In July, a Christian colony in Sargodha was under threats of mob attack due to a blasphemy allegation against a Christian man called Zaki. He was alleged to have hurt the religious sentiment of Muslims by posting some bible verses on Facebook about animal sacrifice in other religions. He was put behind bars after registration of a blasphemy case against him. A similar case was registered against Haroon Shahzad in June from the same city; he was also accused of posting some verses from the bible on animal sacrifice that was offensive to Muslims. He was sent to the jail after a blasphemy case was registered against him.
In August, after a blasphemy accusation was alleged against two Christian brothers living in a Christian colony in Jaranwala, a violent mob of more than two thousand attacked three Christian settlements in Jaranwala looting and burning several houses, a Christian school, and 26 churches. To intimidate the Christian residents from pursuing cases against the Muslim attacker police forcefully detained more than 30 Christians including minor children as young as 3 years old.
Another Christian, Ehsan Masih from Sahiwal was arrested for allegedly sharing a blasphemous image on his TikTok. According to the reports Ehsan, 27 uploaded a video about the Jaranwala assaults that he saw on social media to his TikTok account. The footage soon gained popularity on social media, causing Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP- a radical Muslim group) local officials to call for demonstrations against the alleged blasphemy. TLP activists held a sit-in protest and asked that Ehsaan be charged for spreading blasphemous material. When the police realized how serious the situation was, they placed Ehsaan's entire family under protective custody. Ehsaan was was arrested and shifted to jail on judicial remand after police filed a first information report (FIR) against him under Sections 295-A and 295-B, Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997, and Section 11 of the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act 2016.
In September an illiterate Christian couple was put behind bars after the allegation of desecrating papers of an Islamic syllabus book.
The challenges we face during the course of our work are countless but our determination and courage remain un-shattered. Our partners’ support and encouragement ignite our strength to keep moving toward achieving our mutual goal of justice, peace, and dignity for all. Despite the challenging situation in Pakistan CLAAS continued its work to protect and promote human rights. CLAAS envisioned making free legal aid accessible to people incarcerated for their faith, providing shelter to women and children escaping abuse and violence and engaging community through awareness sessions giving them the tools to become agents of change.
In 2023 our major goals were:
In 2023 CLAAS provided free legal aid assistance in 93 cases including 55 cases of women, 36 cases of men and 02 cases of minor girls. The marginalized people who cannot bear the court expenses or lawyer fees were the beneficiaries of our free legal aid services. At present we have eight blasphemy cases, the alleged accused in these cases are locked in different prisons in Punjab and Islamabad.
A mob attack in Jaranwala once again showcased the vulnerabilities of Christians living in Pakistan. A large mob from surrounding villages was charged by religious groups to attack the Christian houses, ransacking everything that came their way. The partiality of the State towards these radical groups was evident as law enforcing agencies did not activate when Christians called notifying the local administration of potential mob attack. The police waited to act and gave free access to mob to vandalize, ablaze and loot Christians.
CLAAS legal team reached the place of occurrence the next day. It began its work to rescue Christians from police arbitrary detentions, defending the alleged accused and providing shelter to young women and children. CLAAS legal team on time intervention saved the lives of many Christians who might have been fabricated into false criminal cases if not recovered. Through its legal intervention, CLAAS was able to recover 25 men women, and children from the illegal custody of police and the Counter Terrorism Department.
Some of these detainees were brutally tortured. CLAAS is also defending the two main accused in the Jaranwal blasphemy case.
Fact finding: The main focus of CLAAS has always been immediate relief to people in need. Our first course of action in this regard has always been fact finding of incidents of human rights violations. This allows us to attain actual facts but also to assess the needs of the affected individual, family, or community. In 2023 CLAAS conducted 10 fact findings of various cases where people’s human rights were violated. Not every fact-finding we conduct results in legal or shelter support. These fact findings included instances of forced conversion, murder, blasphemy charges, and abductions. In some cases, CLAAS lawyers provided assistances in the registration of the cases, overlooked the investigation conducted by the law enforcement agencies, and some cases were just documented.
These fact-finding reports become part of our annual report, through our annual report publications we highlight the cases and issues faced by religious minorities in Pakistan.
In an effort to end gender-based violence the first step is the provision of safe refuge for these survivors. With this vision,
CLAAS started its shelter home for female survivors of domestic violence violence, sexual assault, abduction, forced marriage, and forced conversion. Today CLAAS shelter is home to many who left their home to flee violence and abuse. It is the only private Christian shelter home in Punjab; we are recognized for our shelter services in the government sector and CLAAS “Apna Ghar” name and contact information is included in the government directory for women helpline. The primary objective is to provide safe refuge to survivors of abuse and violence and in long term make their rehabilitation process easy for them by providing them basic knowledge and skills for survival.
The overwhelming majority of women we serve at “Apna Ghar” are victims of physical or sexual abuse, domestic violence, trafficking or other severe traumas and abuse. These traumas unaddressed can impair the cognitive and social/emotional development of these survivors, which can further lead to lifelong struggles with depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions putting them at risk of further abuse and violence. At “Apna Ghar” through our social integration program we conduct various activities; these include trauma healing sessions and psychosocial
support workshops which allow the participants to learn skills to relieve their stress and maintain a healthy mental health.
The foundational core value of CLAAS is sharing God’s compassion through various acts. Providing shelter to women and children going through the lowest phase of their life was to show them that their life matters, it has significance and they are loved. At Apna Ghar where we focus on medical treatment for their physical wounds, it was equally important to provide healing for their spiritual wounds as well. When they are spiritually strong they can fight their battles. Spiritual healing has been a part of our program. It focuses on the revival of inner peace and spiritual strength which enables the survivors not to sink in depression but come out strong in their faith to fight the demons of fear, hopelessness, and weakness.
Through meditation and collective bible study, survivors are encouraged to pray for themselves and ask for spiritual strength. The spiritual healing sessions are led by a faithful servant of God Pastor Rafique.
In 2023 a series of 10 psychosocial support workshops were conducted with female survivors and potential survivors. These potential survivors were the young Christian women who were working in a factory mostly surrounded by Muslim men or either working as domestic help in Muslim households. Our experience shows that most of these females face sexual harassment at their workplace and when they are not aware of how to handle such situations they end up being abducted, forced into marriage, and then forcibly converted to Islam. These psychosocial workshops prepare them for any unwarranted situation. The sessions were conducted by professional
counselors who used bible references to convey their message of resilience. The participants in their feedback expressed their gratitude for such valuable knowledge to prepare them for any conflict and how to resolve those conflicts without escalating it. In 2024 CLAAS intend to continue with these sessions but with a different group. Religious intolerance in Pakistan makes it extremely dangerous for individuals who find spiritual
fulfillment in Christianity and wants to practice their Christian faith. Furthermore, free will marriages and Inter faith marriages are not acceptable in Pakistan. Women who dare to marry without the consent of their family, especially outside her religion are viewed as someone who has brought embarrassment and disgrace to the family. The homicide of the victim is viewed as a way to restore the reputation and honour of the family. The perpetrators of honor killings are often legally pardoned due to loopholes in the present law. Since its operation in 1992 CLAAS was approached by individuals, couples and families who converted to Christianity and Muslim woman married to a Christian male were now facing serious threats from their
respective families and local radical groups. At that time CLAAS was unable to provide them shelter but extended legal help in criminal cases filed against them. In 2004 Barnabas Funds UK enabled CLAAS to purchase a piece of land to build a Safe House for new converts. It has proved to be a safe haven for couples and families who face life threats. In 2023 a family of five adults and one minor was accommodated in our safe house. They were hounded by radical Muslims after blasphemy accusations. Temporary shelter was also provided to men, women and children CLAAS released from arbitrary detention of Jaranwala counter terrorism department.
Community engagement through awareness sessions and workshops is an important component of our program. We pay special attention to the topics we discuss and give awareness on. These topics are based on the need of the community and the change we intend to bring within the community. The purpose is to increase awareness of important social issues faced by the targeted group of marginalized and poor communities, especially women and minorities. The other purpose is to form core groups of human rights defenders within the community who can be instrumental in spreading the message of CLAAS which is to stand up against injustice and seek justice.
Through community engagement sessions our legal team and resource person engage community in identifying the problems and issues that need to be addressed. Once the problems are identified, through various interactive activities problem solving is discussed. Our legal team share important and relevant legal ways that can be used to resolve matters that require immediate attention. In areas where Christians are less in number keeping communal harmony is important. Community members are encouraged to take part in local politics and develop good acquaintance with their local political leadership and peace committees. As a result of these sessions’ aggrieved people
of Jaranwala whose houses were burnt, looted and destructed filed 27 petitions to become party of the FIR (first Information report) that was registered against the assailants. With this step now the actual affectless are the complaint with the State. CLAAS lawyer will defend these 27 petitioners in the Anti-Terrorism Court Faisalabad.
In 2023 CLAAS organized 18 awareness sessions and several follow up sessions in various cities of Punjab. The topics discussed in these sessions were the impact of gender inequality, importance of girls’ education, knowledge of one’s legal rights, importance of political participation, prevention on child sexual abuse.
Through these sessions it was discussed how through collective actions community can bring social and behavioral change, peace building and communal harmony. More sensitive issues like prevention from blasphemy accusations, forced conversions, forced marriages and marrying into other faith were discussed in small group discussions. These community awareness programs aim to make vulnerable community resourceful to become an effective member of society for the protection and promotion of human rights. These sessions were conducted in various cities of Punjab. In these sessions, more than 800 individuals participated.
The bounded laborers working on the brick kiln have no public platform to speak and share their suffering. Separate sessions were conducted for Christians working as bonded labourers at different brick kilns in Punjab. CLAAS legal team share the labour laws that give protection to labouers working at brick kilns. The resource person shared various examples to illustrate what legal remedies to take in case of harassment at work place, especially for women and young girls. We got positive feedback from the participants in focus group discussions. Their positive feedback was an encouragement for CLAAS as well. The participants told the CLAAS team to hold more sessions in their area,
through these motivational sessions they gained knowledge on how to combat injustice and bring positive change in their lives. The participants at the brick kiln sessions said in their feedback that it was the first time that they learn about the social protection mechanisms available to them, like health cards and social security cards. These sessions also provide us with the opportunity to get to know our community and see their challenges they face on daily basis.
Supporting Christian students:
Although we do not get any special funds for this
activity but CLAAS firmly believe that through
literacy we can overcome social discrimination. If
our youth is educated they can attain key posts
especially in governmental departments to bring
behavioral change towards non-Muslim citizens.
The majority of our Christians engaged in minimal
jobs and could barely afford a decent daily meal. In
2023 CLAAS supported some of these aspirant
students who had the desire to gain education but
were unable to continue due to non-availability of
financial means. CLAAS staff came forward and
every month gave their tithe to CLAAS as to pay the tuition fees for the Christian
students. In 2023 CLAAS was able to support nine such students, 7
girls and two boys.
This support is extended to individuals and families who are under severe financial burden. Twenty five such families were supported through CLAAS local donation funds from local friends, CLAAS Board members and some CLAAS staff. Most of these families were also the beneficiaries of CLAAS legal aid and shelter services. These families are selected based on their circumstances and priority is given to families with minor children and whose sole bread earner has been incarcerated under heinous crime.
Advocacy and Lobbying:
A very important activity of CLAAS is to do
advocacy and lobbying on important issues like
deterring the misuse of blasphemy laws, legislation
to combat forced conversion of minor Christian and
Hindu girls, forced disappearances and freedom of
religion or belief. To mobilize and build mainstream
consensus on these issues we arrange press
conferences, public meetings and peaceful protest.
CLAAS also does 16 days activism against gender
based violence, this is does through corner meetings and also through social media
campaigns.
To gain support from the international community on increasing incidents of human rights CLAAS wrote letters to heads of diplomatic missions in Islamabad and facilitated briefings and meetings with Head of European delegation in Pakistan, and had a meeting with the first political officer of German Embassy, Netherland Embassy, member of British High Commission visited our office in Lahore and had discussion on important issues related to minority women. Internationally CLAAS was invited to speak at the pre session of the 42 Universal Periodic Reviews at United Nations in Geneva.
Pastor Amir was acquitted in Jaranwala blasphemy case with the legal help of CLAAS. He was arrested from his home and was detained in Counter Terrorism Department. While in detention, he was severely tortured. In Jaranwala mob attack Pastor Amir’s Church was set on fire and the violent mob completely destructed his home and his school. After his acquittal CLAAS provided him shelter in the Safe House. He is now back in his hometown serving the Lord. Robert Charles, a resident of Christian colony Jaranwala was arrested two day after the mob attack. He was also nominated in the blasphemy case. He was also detained in CTD cell where he was brutally tortured.
When he came out he was mentally distorted because of the severe physical torture he experienced while detained. His wife Sonam and their three minor children were also detained by the law enforcing agencies; the youngest detainee was three year Joyce. CLAAS filed a habeas corpus for the recovery of his wife and children. CLAAS successfully recovered the family. After tireless work of CLAAS legal team Robert was also acquitted from the blasphemy charges and was reunited with his family. After their release the whole Robert family was provided safe accommodation in CLAAS safe house. Robert still suffers from mental trauma and his young daughter hide herself in the room if she sees a crowd or a police officer.
Victoria is a widow and a single parent, who was thrown out of her house by her family with her young children. It was raining and it was dark seeing her sitting on the side of the road with her clothes in a plastic shopping bag, a passerby gave her CLAAS address. Being a single mother is the hardest challenge in a patriarchal Pakistani society. Victoria tried to work in a garment factory but she was harassed for being woman and for her faith. CLAAS supported her and provided her a job and accommodation at CLAAS safe house. CLAAS is also supporting her two children in their education. Victoria is very honest and very hard working. Her elder daughter is married and often visits her mother in CLAAS safe House.
James and his family was facing life threats from their Muslim colleague at his work place. Due to these threats he had to leave his job and approached CLAAS for help. He was given shelter support. They stayed two months in CLAAS shelter home.
Kashif Masih was also illegally detained for interrogation in Jaranwala blasphemy case. CLAAS filed a writ petition in the Lahore High court against his illegal detention. As a result of this intervention he was released and was reunited with his family. He and his family were given temporary accommodation at CLAAS shelter home.
Tahira Bibi is a survivor of domestic violence. She needed a temporary shelter with her minor sons to escape an abusive relationship. CLAAS provided her the shelter and the environment where she could make a right decision for her future. While in Apna Ghar, she was given legal counseling and family counseling by the shelter home staff. With the intervention of CLAAS, legal awareness and trauma healing she was able to resolve her domestic issues and through CLAAS legal team mediation she reconciled with her husband and is now happy in her family life.
Kiran Bibi is a victim of domestic violence. She approached CLAAS with her two minor sons and a minor daughter, to seek shelter and legal counseling. She narrated to CLAAS that her husband was a drug addict which had caused a lot of problem in their marital life. When she came to CLAAS she was very indecisive and was unable to think for herself. CLAAS shelter home staff provided her the counseling through conversations. She was a devout Christian and spent a lot of time praying CLAAS staff provided her the spiritual guidance through our Pastor Rafique who helped her in putting her trust in Jesus.
She also attended the legal awareness sessions arranged for Apna Ghar residents. After these sessions she became more confident and one month later found her a nice job therough which she was able to take care of herself and her children. When CLAAS called her for its follow up, we found out that she will soon be reuniting with her husband with whom she has settled all her domestic issues.
Mehnaz a minor victim of rape approached CLAAS for legal assistance and shelter support. As a result of rape Mehnaz became pregnant; her family wanted her to abort the pregnancy but Mehnaz was against it. After proper medical examination, the doctor revealed that due to her minor age, aborting her pregnancy might put her in danger. CLAAS mediated with her family to let her keep the baby. CLAAS provided her safe shelter and legal assistance. After her statement the perpetrator was arrested and his bail was cancelled by the court. Mehnaz stayed in Apna Ghar with her mother. CLAAS paid for medical care. While in Apna Ghar she was provided mental and trauma healing therapy by a professional psychologist.
