She escaped a life sentence.
A Christian woman in Pakistan, accused of blasphemy under questionable circumstances, was granted bail on Thursday, her lawyer confirmed. Shazia Younis, a 50-year-old Catholic mother of three, was charged under Section 295-B of Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy laws, which carry a potential life sentence for desecrating the Quran. Additional Sessions Judge Waseem Mubarik ruled in favor of her release, citing lack of intent and evidence, according to her attorney, Javed Sahotra.
Sahotra argued that the allegations lacked merit, as Section 295-B requires proof of deliberate intent to desecrate the Quran. He explained that Younis had unknowingly burned religious materials along with other waste paper, which the complainant himself admitted. Furthermore, the complainant did not witness the incident, and police failed to recover any incriminating evidence from Younis. The judge approved her release upon a surety bond of 50,000 rupees (approximately $180 USD), with her lawyer planning to request the dismissal of the case entirely.
Younis was arrested on December 21, 2024, in Punjab Province after Atta Ul Mustafa, a mosque prayer leader, filed a complaint. According to the First Information Report (FIR), Mustafa claimed that two locals informed him of the alleged incident, stating that Younis had burned books, including one containing Islamic scripture. Mustafa alleged that Younis admitted to desecrating the material, which he claimed had offended the religious sentiments of Muslims.
The case highlights broader concerns about Pakistan’s harsh blasphemy laws. On November 7, 2024, the U.N. Human Rights Committee called for significant reforms or the repeal of these laws, citing an increase in false accusations and their disproportionate impact on religious minorities. The committee also noted the misuse of cybercrime laws, such as the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, to target individuals accused of blasphemy online. It urged Pakistan to investigate the abuse of these laws and ensure fair trials and humane conditions for detainees.
The committee expressed alarm over the violence and vigilante justice often spurred by false accusations, as well as reports of abuse and solitary confinement faced by those accused. It emphasized the need for urgent action to protect freedom of expression, religious minorities, and the rights of individuals unjustly accused under these laws.