UN experts demand justice for blasphemy accused in Pakistan

Human rights experts urge Islamabad to clear scholar Junaid Hafeez and lift death sentence

GENEVA: United Nations human rights experts called on Pakistan’s high court on Friday to clear Junaid Hafeez of blasphemy charges and overturn his death sentence.

In a joint statement, they described Hafeez's condemnation by a lower court last week as a "travesty of justice" and said senior judges should acquit the former university lecturer on appeal.

"We urge Pakistan's superior courts to promptly hear his appeal, overturn the death sentence and acquit him," said the independent experts who include UN investigators on freedom of religion, unlawful killings and arbitrary detention.

Blasphemy case: Multan court sentences Junaid Hafeez to death

Hafeez's family and lawyers released a statement saying the trial had been marked by a "wave of fear" and intimidation after Hafeez's initial defence lawyer, Rashid Rehman, was shot and killed in 2014 after agreeing to take on the case.

International law permits the death penalty only in exceptional circumstances, and requires incontrovertible evidence of intentional murder, the UN experts said.

"The death sentence imposed on Mr Hafeez has no basis in either law or evidence, and therefore contravenes international law. Carrying out the sentence would amount to an arbitrary killing," they said.

"We are seriously concerned that blasphemy charges are still being brought against people legitimately exercising their rights to freedom of thought, conscience, religion and expression," they added.