The World Council of Churches (WCC) central committee has condemned the blasphemy law in Pakistan, stating that it has become “a major source of victimization and persecution” of religious minorities who are living “in a state of fear and terror”. Their statement says that since the penal code of Pakistan was amended in 19856. “Christians in particular have become targets of harassment and persecutions”.

The Blasphemy Law, where the concept of “blasphemy” is vaguely defined according to the WCC statement, establishes that any person accused is immediately placed in detention and can sentenced to death. From 1988 to 2005, 647 people were accused of violating the law, but cases have increased in recent years. There have been cases based on malicious accusations “often with the motivation to have people imprisoned to gain advantage in business or land disputes.”

The WCC central committee urged the government of Pakistan to repeal the section of the Pakistan penal code (295C) which carries a mandatory death penalty for anyone found guilty of blasphemy.