Facebook Group Mix-Up Puts Christian Man On Death Row
In Pakistan, a young Christian man, Arsalan Gill, was arrested by federal agents under the country’s blasphemy laws after accusations that he shared offensive content in Facebook chat groups. The 24-year-old was detained by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) when he returned home from work in Lahore. His family, shocked by the arrest, later learned that unknown individuals had added him to the Facebook groups without his knowledge, and that he had no involvement in the content shared there. He faces charges under multiple sections of Pakistan’s blasphemy law, which mandates the death penalty, as well as under the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act.
Human rights advocates suggest that Gill may have been a victim of a “blasphemy business group” known for framing innocent people, especially Christians, in false cases of online blasphemy. These groups reportedly use tactics like fake social media interactions and false accusations to extort money. Legal experts argue that the FIA’s Cybercrime Wing may be collaborating with these groups, helping to prosecute baseless cases and abusing the blasphemy laws for personal gain.
In response to a growing number of blasphemy cases, the Islamabad High Court recently ordered the formation of a commission to investigate the involvement of the FIA and Islamist clerics in these incidents. The commission would consist of legal, religious, and technology experts to assess the validity of the evidence and review the legitimacy of the charges against individuals like Gill. However, progress on the establishment of the commission has been slow, and the court expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the issue.
During a recent court hearing, the judge highlighted the lack of a clear response from the government regarding the petitions filed by the families of those falsely accused. The judge also raised concerns about the possibility of fabricated evidence being used in these cases. In response to the significant public interest in the matter, the court ordered that future proceedings be broadcast live, drawing attention to the widespread impact of the country’s blasphemy laws.
Pakistan ranks eighth on Open Doors’ World Watch List of the most dangerous places to be a Christian, highlighting the significant challenges faced by religious minorities in the country. Cases like Arsalan Gill’s emphasize the ongoing misuse of blasphemy laws to target vulnerable communities, raising concerns about justice and the protection of fundamental rights.