The Ongoing Ordeal of a Pakistani Christian Woman Accused of Blasphemy

Original article: No Hope For A Pakistani Christian Woman Accused Of Blasphemy | ECSPE

A Pakistani Christian woman, whose identity is being kept confidential for her safety, remains incarcerated without justice since her accusation of blasphemy in 2021. Filled with despair and without any visible end to her ordeal, she clings to the hope of an unlikely release.

In July 2021, she was charged with disrespecting Islam during a WhatsApp chat. Since then, she has been awaiting trial, navigating a painfully slow judicial process. Her initial trial was scheduled for May 25, but optimism is scarce as blasphemy trials are notoriously prolonged.

Her family has shared distressing details about the appalling conditions of her detention. Trapped in a dire situation, her continued imprisonment subjects her to miserable living conditions, whereas release would not guarantee safety due to extreme religious zealotry that could lead to her being targeted in extrajudicial killings, a fate not uncommon for those accused of blasphemy.

Additionally, her family lives in constant fear for their own safety, lamenting the harsh reality of being separated from their loved one and vigilant against possible attacks. “She is confined to a tiny cell, and we can only speak to her across a barrier that separates prisoners from visitors. It’s devastating to see her in such a condition,” expressed her youngest child to an international media outlet.