Medical report says blasphemy-accused girl not mentally ill: Activist
Christian activist Xavier William said he visited Rimsha at a police station where she was first held, and then this week in a prison in the city of Rawalpindi.
Rimsha, a young Christian girl who reportedly has Down’s Syndrome, was accused of burning pages from a children’s religious instruction book containing verses from the Holy Quran.
Rimsha is in a prison where she is being held in solitary confinement for her safety, the activist told Reuters.
"She was frightened and traumatised,” William said.
"She was assaulted and in very bad shape. She had bruises on her face and on her hands," he added, referring to a mob that attacked her after she was accused of blasphemy.
"She is in solitary confinement at Adiala jail because of her safety," said William. "She would not make eye contact. She did not say anything. She did not answer back."
NGO moves bail application
World Vision in Progress Foundation - a non-governmental organisation - moved a bail application before the Islamabad session court on Thursday for an 11-year-old Christian girl arrested on charges of blasphemy.
The hearing for the case is scheduled to begin on August 28.
Rimsha’s case has prompted concern from Western governments andanger from rights groups, who say the blasphemy law is abused in personal disputes and should be reformed.
President Asif Ali Zardari also took notice of the incident and sought a detailed report from interior ministry.
The incident has sent a chill wind of fear through the 500 Christian families who live in Mehrabad, a poor suburb of Islamabad where Rimsha lives.
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I am astounded from multifactorial standpoints. First as a Christian and second as a former citizen of the region. Islam shares the OLD TESTAMENT and so the 10 Commandments. The 9th states not to bear false witness against a neighbour. Of course it is well known what they did to our Lord. But we serve a risen Lord. He is with Rishma and for her. The God of Israel is our God and their Allah. This girl has embraced the Son of that God. She is a child with a handicap. How desperate the muslims are who accuse her? Christians pray for her deliverance. This is a global call to prayer warfare. Heed it and join me. With one voice to the Holy One Yodh He Waw He in the Name of His only begotten son Yeshua called Jesus, deliver Rishma out of her captors hands, free to serve Christ! Amen.
@1984 well saudi arab does not promote hatred towards Christianity whereas USA does everything that hurt all muslims
@French: the day that leader is born pakistan will be on another level. we have turkey example of erdogan who took some harsh decision even against islamic ones for betterment of the country.
@Ali: she and her family will be sent to their MaiBaap America
and you and your family should be sent to your MaiBaap Saudi Arabia
@lover: she is 11 years old. Is this what we have learned from the Sunnah, to kill somebody if you think they have committed a crime?? her mental age is probably lower and maybe she doesn't understand things very well but does that mean killing her should be her punishment?? Sorry but is this Islam?? We hurt Islam much more by doing all the haram things we do...learn to forgive a child?! Can't the Islam you follow do that much??
@kaalchakra: In a country where you reside. I can understand why a Down syndrome girl can be passed as sane...
P.S. I love the way u troll others..its not that easy btw
she and her family will be sent to their MaiBaap America
@kaalchakra:
Really? You mean 1.5 Billion Muslims are horribally traumatized by tearing of few pages of Noorani Quada (not exactly a quran) by this minor non-Muslim child.
Now I can understand why it took you 3 days to come out of your trauma and enable you to post your inhumane comment above.
This is purely disgusting, so what if the medical reports don't say that she has a mental illness does she need to have one to removed from jail. She is only 11 years old for gods sake.Pakistan was and never is going to be a safe place for any minorities as long as the people their don't change their mindset.
A request the Authorities: Pls Let her go.
She is not adult yet and most likely uneducated.
But Aren't we all lower than her mental age, by our behavior/intellect and our comments? I have a daughter, who is 14.
Just sad. I apply to change my religion to atheism.
@Mirza: two wrongs don't make a right!
Islam is in danger from 11 year old girls.
Surely the only way is to execute her if she refuses to repent and convert to Islam?
If she converts to Islam and apologises, and her family also converts, then it will prove Islam's mercifulness and beauty.
@Lala Gee: Appreciate the humanity in your note Lala Gee
so she was not mentally ill. i personally think that mentality of this nation will not change whatever ET or modern people of Pakistan do. If modern people are so ashamed of this country then they should go away. Non-muslims should respect other religion, they are not mentally ill and they are disrespecting our religion by disrespecting our holly book and with events like that,,,
cool. now they can execute her.
Right. The girl is not mentally ill. Her acuusers, the police and the state are.
A 10 year old boy is In custody in Philadelphia for attacking a 51 year old women. His bail petition was dismissed. I understand blasphemy law need modification but it does not mean start criticizing Islam and Pakistan. Last but least how about Afia’s kids imprisonment for 5 years where is her kid who was few month old when she was taken away.
She is lot mature than 6 year old Ayesha
I hope she is in juvenile home and not regular prison.
@Cautious: Pakistan as a country has nothing to do with it. Shame on this society where weak is held hostage by ignorant right wing politicians and their followers while the majority has no regard for the welfare of the society and are only busy in self serving and fulfilling their greed for wealth. Shame on those so called powerful institutions & politicians who choose to look the other way.
She's an 11 year old girl! This government is the worst government in the history of Pakistan. They have done nothing for minority rights. PPP and Pakistani Mullahs present an existential threat to Pakistan.
If anything Islam is in danger from Taliban's, some type of madrassahs and extremists organizations who claim to be muslims. May Allah help this and all the other minorities in Pakistan exactly how Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) dealt with minorities/non-muslims.
These people need to stop thinking that only muslims are humans and everyone else is not
@Lala Gee: Mr Chief Justice would rather send an elected PM home than caring for a poor little girl .. If you're still his supporter then you're not capable to see things and understand as they are. I have never taken part in any political activities in my life but if you read history of Pakistan you will know elected leaders have always been dragged out and destabilized either directly via martial law or via judiciary et al. Nowhere in the world is an elected PM sent home by a non elected person regardless of how corrupt, immoral or low life that elected representative is, only elections are a way of accountability. How many generals have we ever tried for corruption? NONE, despite the fact that they roam around in Mercedez and BMWs which they can not afford with their salaries. How can one support such Chief Justice who compensates those criminals who in broad day light fought against our own soldiers in the capital and who might have been religious but were anti Pakistan.
Let a medical team be formed by the honorable court of Pakistan to examine both religious extremists/Mullas and the accused girl to find out who is insane between the two.
shame on our society !!
How is this different when police or other people are desecrating verses of Koran from the graves or shops or buildings that belong to Ahmadi sect?
@Hindu: Have not heard from Imran Khan on that, either. Why is he dead silent on such a major human rights violation that has attracted attention all around the world? Now, it is abundantly clear that he shows concerns about the human rights violations only when it suits his myopic ideological agenda. This does not sound like the visionary statesman Pakistan is dying to have to come out of the current abyss and become a respectable part of the comity of nations.
It matters not if she is or is not mentally ill - what matters is that she is a CHILD. Are there any protest marches / rallies planned to ask for her release? No? Thought so! You folks are all up in arms at the slightest of percieved provocations to Pakistan / Islam / Muslims elsewhere, but not a peep on this - is Islam really in danger by the actions of an 11 yr old?
Well if she is not mentally now she will be soon if she stays there and thanks to Mr William who ever it is wrong impression will be created about the medical report . ET should try to verify this claim by this person and publish the correct news.
But more sad part is that non of the Politicians in Punjab be it Nawaz Sharief or Imran Khan dont have enough guts to come out in public and protest against it as they are afraid of the reaction from TTP may be.
Even more sad part is our CJ is tight liped on the whole incident not a single word from him .
No need to bring chief justice here, he is only taking suo motos for political purposes he has nothing to do with these matters He is in fact responsible for this chaos because people think they can get away with these acts as courts are letting people off easy
and all other things are also lie. she is 16, she was not beaten, she did burn the quranic scriptures.
Oh O! but ET and liberals were insisting that she was mentally ill. just like swedish christian terrorist who kill 100 of peoples. sad day for liberals :)
We don't agree!!! We don't allow even unborn's to do blasphemous. PERIOD
CJ will be worried about seizure of 2 liquor bottles and take suo moto. he is very partisan person and as judge and idealogically.
So she is not mentally handicapped as propagated by liberals. She had full control of her faculties when she committed the crime. Once we are done talking up her 'trauma' will we get to mentioning the trauma suffered by Muslims, resulting from this crime?
I think the solution is that police should OPEN FIRE on these mob and people who support butchering of others in the name of blasphemy.
Sickening, this nation is beyond pathetic an 11 year old just 11 you beat her up and she's bruised HOW? and everyone so nonchalant about it: She was frightened and traumatised,” William said. “She was assaulted and in very bad shape. She had bruises on her face and on her hands,” he added, referring to a mob that attacked her after she was accused of blasphemy. This is heart breaking i am so sad, her family must feel helpless..GROW UP PAKISTAN abolish Laws that give Majority the right to kill.. This is called getting away with murder...
a 14 year child beaten by a crowd what mad people have we turned into
I am wondering what the mullah party has to say to this... i meant the educated mullah party yet completely jahil!
liberals shouldnt have made things up, revelation will only damage Rimsha's credibility and show liberal's strong tendency to exaggerate- once again.
@French:"Wich political leader would have the courage to repeal this medieval law ?"
One who has a death wish.
Ironic, shameful, inhuman and disgusting.
Horrible... horrible horrible.. Shame on the collective 190 million odd that call this nation home.
Shame on all of us
Dear Chief Justice
I am a big supporter of you since your illegal dismal and confinement in 2007. I have been vociferously defending you and your actions on every forum against the onslaught of 'Jiyalas'. Please don't let me down and the other Pakistanis who fought for you so valiantly, and many even sacrificed their lives, hoping that you will provide us justice, no matter what. Your inaction in such cases of grave injustices like this one while taking suo moto notice on possession of two bottles of liquor is in stark contrast what we hoped from you after your reinstatement. It only requires a stroke of pen from you to provide speedy justice to the hapless poor girl and exonerate yourself from your responsibilities with justice and honor. Please help us in our efforts to defend you.
For God sake please let her go. Islam is not in danger because of an 11 year old girl. Islam teaches you humanity, not barbarity.
The whole lot of muslims, be they proudly call themselves liberals or the extremists, are so far away from the teachings of islam.
Just imagine what that girl is going through. What her family is going through.
Any statements from Punjab Govt? PML-N? Nawaz Sharif? Shahbaz Sharif? No one? Really?
If she is not mentally ill than I am sure by the time ordeal will be over she will be mentally ill. Allah is more merciful than its followers. Religion is in danger and needs law to protect itself. Guess what the situation of other law and order situation. In other part of the world religion survives without the protection of the law and order. A ruling party can not find murderer of its own leader, terrorist can walk free, Mumbai culprits are awaiting trial as not sufficient evidence, a lady needs four witness to prove crime against her but words on few pages are more powerful in generating a reaction. So pen is more stronger than the sword.
Even the medical examiner is in a hurry for his 72, it seems.
Well, she may ot be mentally ill, but for god's sake look at her age !!!!!!!! What is wrong with these people, who simply can not think or see clearly anymore ? There is no Nation on this planet, where an minors are likely to be charged with such crimes and held in solitary confinement !!!!! So much for your civilised society and your version of Islam !
Mr CJP, this case merits sou motto action - its about time this issue was resolved. But there is one hiccup, it requires sheer courage and steel nerves. Does the realm of the SC of Pakistan extend to the marginalised and lowest rung of the social hierarchy? Ofcourse, standing up for the cause of the downtrodden has few or no gains and exposes its proponent dangers - threat to life and vile abuse from the self appointed spiritual guardians of the state. Would you be willing to look into the matter?
@Md. Ikram: unfortunately when a case is under trial CJP cant do much. its the concerned magistrates prerogative at the moment. He steps in when due process is violated.
And Mr. Suo Motto fiddles while the Rome is burning. If this were some Attiqa Odhu with bottles of wine, or some samosas, or some Malik Ishaq, he would have taken notice. A poor Christian girl doesn't qualify to be human enough to get his attention.
Its unfortunate that humanity has left each one of us. Islam's emphasis on Haqooq-ul-Ibad is astonishing. Yet, the ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF PAKISTAN digresses and its people are swiftly headed towards their own destruction. Ah, the days of Jahilliya again it seems!
I have lost hope from this cournty and nation (molvies brand nation and their religious extremism. This country, i guess, will disintegrate into pieces at various levels and no hope this "land of pures (molvies)" can survive furhter in the consequeces of the way it has run its affairs for last six decades.
is he really a christian activist why did he make this statement and are there no homes avalialbe where she could have been placed till investigation, poor girl i wonder what the police might do to her!! shame on the mullahs!!may Allah never forgive them
Why our Chief Justice who is first to take up sumo-to cases is silent. An eleven years girl in a solitary confinement is itself a crime and against all norms of decency and humanity. At least we expect the judiciary is having those qualities.
She is just a child. Please have mercy. We are the ones who are mentally ill!
A child in solitary confinement? Even if she is not mentally ill now; she will be soon.
What does Juvenile Justice Ordinance say about this? They are supposed to have special facilities for children.
Wich political leader would have the courage to repeal this medieval law ?
Please dont do that. Her life will be at great risk.