Pakistani Christians Demonstrate in Brussels after Man Dies Following Mob Attack Over Blasphemy Allegations

The attack occurred on 25 May in Mujahid Colony, Sargodha district, where radical Islamists, allegedly led by Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) activists, accused Masih of desecrating the Quran. The mob’s actions also resulted in the destruction of his shoe factory and home.

The violent episode began when a group of young men in Mujahid Colony claimed that Masih had desecrated the Quran. This accusation led to a furious mob marching towards his residence and factory.

According to police reports, the mob set his factory and house ablaze and vandalised several shops owned by Christians in the area.

Despite police intervention, Masih was critically injured during the attack and was subsequently hospitalised at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Sargodha, where he later died on 3 June.

A Pattern of Violence

This attack on Masih is not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of violence against Christians and other religious minorities in Pakistan.

On 25 May, the same mob not only attacked Masih but also injured another Christian man and ten policemen who attempted to control the situation.

The mob’s actions prompted a significant police deployment to protect the remaining Christian community members in Mujahid Colony.

Human rights lawyer and politician Jibran Nasir criticised the state’s failure to take serious action against perpetrators of previous incidents, such as the Jaranwala attacks, which he believes has emboldened those exploiting religious sentiments for criminal acts.

“Another Jaranwala-style attack on Christians in Sargodha with mob attacking the local community, burning and ransacking property,” Nasir said on X (formerly Twitter).

Calls for Justice and Reform

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed deep concern over the situation in Sargodha. The HRCP urged the Punjab police to restore calm, ensure the safety of the Christian community, and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“There are unconfirmed reports of a man having been allegedly lynched,” the HRCP stated on X, calling for immediate action to prevent further harm to the Christian community.

This incident has reignited calls within Pakistan for stricter action against those who falsely accuse others of blasphemy.

Recently, a woman in Lahore was saved by police from a mob after being accused of blasphemy for wearing an Arabic print shirt, highlighting the rampant misuse of blasphemy allegations.

International Attention

The international community has long criticised Pakistan’s blasphemy laws for their role in inciting violence and discriminating against religious minorities.

The 2023 report by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) noted a deterioration in Pakistan’s religious freedom conditions, with religious minorities frequently subjected to accusations of blasphemy, mob violence, and other forms of persecution.

“Religious minorities were subject to frequent attacks and threats, including accusations of blasphemy, targeted killings, lynchings, mob violence, forced conversions, sexual violence against women and girls, and desecration of houses of worship and cemeteries,” the USCIRF report stated.

Protest in Brussels: A Stand Against Persecution of Christians in Pakistan

On 15 June 2024, the European Parliament in Brussels witnessed a significant gathering of hundreds of Christians from across Europe.

Protest of Pakistani Christian Community in Brussels in front of the European Parliament: A Stand Against Persecution

The peaceful demonstration aimed to protest against the recent mob violence in Sargodha, Pakistan, which resulted in the death of Nazir Masih.

The protesters sought to highlight the ongoing persecution of religious minorities in Pakistan and urged the European Union to take a firm stance against such atrocities.

The demonstrators, including religious leaders and activists, carried banners and chanted slogans calling for justice for Nazir Masih and the protection of religious minorities in Pakistan.

Speeches from prominent figures underscored the persistent discrimination and violence faced by Christians in Pakistan.

Nazir Masih’s death on 25 May 2024, following false accusations of blasphemy, was cited as part of a disturbing trend of mob violence against religious minorities.

The protesters called for immediate action from the EU and Pakistani government to protect these vulnerable communities and reform the blasphemy laws often exploited to target minorities.

A memorandum was presented to the European Parliament, demanding an impartial investigation into Masih’s death, legal reforms, and increased international scrutiny on Pakistan’s human rights record.

The event, organised by members of the Pakistani diaspora in Europe, was broadcast live on BTL TV, amplifying their call for justice and change.

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