Pakistan: Christians face discrimination in prison

Dominicans visit Christians in Faisalabad jail

Christian prisoners in the Pakistan's jails are suffering severe discrimination, according to Catholic lawyer, Moazzam Aslam Bhatti. Christians are marginalised and disadvantaged throughout Pakistani society, but the situation in prisons is "particularly precarious", he told Aid to the Church in Need representatives who are currently visiting the country.

"Christians are disadvantaged in the distribution of food, clothing and medicines, as well as in their ability to practise their religion. Mr Bhatti also told Aid to the Church in Need that most Christians who are charged have no lawyer because of their poverty and low social position.

The lawyer called for increased legal aid to be provided in order to improve the situation.Highlighting the poverty that afflicts many Christians he said: "It is alarming to note that many people jailed for minor offences could have been released if they had been able to pay the fines imposed on them.

"Those affected also include children who are compelled to stay in prison together with their mothers."

Mr Bhatti regularly visits Christian prisoners in Faislabad, along with the Dominican Fathers, as well as providing legal aid.

According to the Dominican Father Iftikhar Moon, who is in charge of prisoners' pastoral care in the Diocese of Faisalabad, the city of Faisalabad has a prison population of 5,000, of which between 85 and 100 inmates are Christians.

Those in jail in the city include shopkeeper Imran Masih who was sentenced to life imprisonment in January 2010 under the country's Blasphemy Laws for allegedly burning pages of the Qur'an. Mr Masih denied the charged.

Mr Bhatti, studied in England before returning to Pakistan to work with the disadvantaged. He told Aid to the Church in Need: "Despite receiving good job offers abroad, I returned to Pakistan in order to do whatever is in my power to help the people."

Although he said he can do little to change the situation, he added: "I am proud to be able to do something for the people in this part of the world where Christians are oppressed and pushed to the margins."

Source: ACN