Promote Religious Freedom in Pakistan: Urge Prompt Hearing for Junaid Hafeez and Ashfaq Masih
In Pakistan, blasphemy laws have become a serious religious freedom challenge impacting all Pakistanis, both Muslims and minority faiths like Christians. Pakistan has the harshest blasphemy law in the world, with accusations of blasphemy carrying severe criminal penalties, including the death penalty. Today, dozens, if not hundreds, of individuals are jailed for years under the flimsiest blasphemy allegations. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom has warned that Pakistan's blasphemy laws severely restrict religious freedom and can contribute to a climate of discrimination and extremism.
Junaid Hafeez and Ashfaq Masih are examples – one Muslim, one Christian – of two individuals on death row after blasphemy convictions. Both men have appealed their cases to the Lahore High Court, yet their appeals have faced prolonged delays.
Two Men. Two Faiths. One Fundamental Freedom.
Junaid Hafeez, a Muslim university professor, was arrested in 2013 after being accused of blasphemy. He was sentenced to death in 2019. He has spent years in prison, including extended periods in solitary confinement. USCIRF currently lists him as imprisoned and sentenced to death.
Ashfaq Masih, a Christian bicycle mechanic, was arrested in 2017 following an accusation of blasphemy and sentenced to death in 2022. He has denied the allegation. USCIRF currently lists him as imprisoned and sentenced to death.
Their cases illustrate why religious freedom must protect people of every faith.
Freedom of religion or belief is not only the freedom to practice one's own religion. It also requires that people be protected from coercion and punishment because of their religious beliefs and expression, real or alleged. When blasphemy accusations can result in years of imprisonment and even death sentences, it impowers extremists who wish to limit religious freedom for all.
Delayed Appeals Process
The severity of a death sentence makes a prompt and meaningful appeal especially urgent.
While Pakistani government has never executed someone for blasphemy, we remain concerned by the prolonged delay in appellate hearings, which undermines due process and leaves two men languishing in prison needlessly. Pakistan's own judicial system should provide these men with a timely and fair opportunity to have their convictions and sentences reviewed.
There are also serious concerns about the security of people involved in blasphemy cases. Junaid Hafeez's original lawyer, Rashid Rehman, was murdered in 2014 after defending him.
Religious freedom and the rule of law require that blasphemy allegations be addressed through fair and impartial legal proceedings—not through intimidation, violence, or indefinite delay.
Add Your Voice
We are calling on the Government of Pakistan to ensure that the appeals of Junaid Hafeez and Ashfaq Masih receive prompt and fair hearings, that their rights and safety are protected while they remain imprisoned, and that their lawyers can represent them without intimidation or threat.
We are also calling on the U.S. government to raise these cases with Pakistani authorities and advocate for religious freedom, due process, and the rule of law.
Your signature will be delivered to the Government of Pakistan and the Government of the United States.
Stand with us for their religious freedom and the religious freedom of all people of every faith and belief.
Stand with Junaid Hafeez and Ashfaq Masih.