62 convicted over online hate speech since 2015, SC told

At least 62 people have been convicted in cases pertaining to hate speech on social media since 2015, as per a report submitted to the Supreme Court (SC) by the Punjab government on minorities’ rights.

The report said the law enforcement agencies had registered 99 cases regarding hate speech over the past seven years, in which 101 arrests were made. At least 11 people were acquitted while 62 were convicted in these cases, it added.

According to a breakdown given in the report, six suspects were arrested in five cases in 2015; four were convicted while one was acquitted.

In 2016, 44 cases were registered. 44 people were detained; 37 suspects were convicted while seven were acquitted. In 2017, nine suspects were arrested in eight cases. Seven were convicted and one was released.

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In 2018, two suspects were registered in two cases: one was released and another was convicted.

In 2019, one suspect was arrested and later sentenced. In 2020, 27 cases were registered wherein 10 were found guilty and two were cleared.

In 2021, 12 suspects were arrested in 12 cases. Only one person has been found guilty as of now.

According to the report, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) blocked 44 websites over hate speech. It said 12 pages were found involved in sharing anti-state material whereas 46 pages were disseminating hateful content regarding religious minorities.

The apex court directed the government to submit a report on the expenditure incurred by the minorities affairs’ commission by the next month and adjourned the hearing indefinitely.