ISLAMABAD: A court adjourned on Thursday a bail hearing for a Christian girl accused of blasphemy, prompting human rights activists to make fresh calls for her release in a case that has drawn renewed criticism of the country's anti-blasphemy laws.
The girl, named Rimsha, has been held since August 16 on suspicion of desecrating the Muslim holy book, an offence that can carry a life prison sentence under Pakistan's strict blasphemy laws.
Doctors and officials are "favouring" a young Pakistani Christian girl charged with blasphemy after allegedly burning papers containing Qurani verses, the lawyer for her accuser claimed today.
A medical report earlier this week said Rimsha was around 14 years old - her age had been in dispute - and appeared to be "uneducated" with a mental age below her true age.
But after a brief hearing in the case on Thursday, which Rimsha did not attend, Rao Abdur Raheem, the lawyer representing her accuser, rejected the doctors' assessment.
"The victim has admitted that she burned a chapter of the Holy Quran," he told reporters outside court in Islamabad.
"The doctors are favouring the victim and the state is also supporting her."
Raheem also objected to the medical examination because it was carried out a day before the court formally requested it. Judge Raja Jawad Abbas Hassan adjourned the case to Saturday to seek clarification on the report.
The lawyer said he did not want to see Masih's case turned into another one focusing on changing the law, and he warned that to do so could again incite a violent reaction.
"There are many Mumtaz Qadris in this country and we will support them," the lawyer said, referring to Governor Salmaan Taseer's killer.
Activists demand release
Religious and secular groups worldwide have protested over the arrest this month of Rimsha Masih, accused by Muslim neighbours of burning Islamic religious texts.
"This will go on and on and this little minor girl will rot in jail," said human rights activist Tahira Abdullah outside an Islamabad court. "We want her out of jail. We want her under protection."
Rimsha's case has prompted concern from Western governments and the Vatican and anger from human rights campaigners, who have warned the laws are often used to settle personal vendettas.
In July a mob of more than 2,000 snatched a mentally unstable man from a police station, beat him to death and torched his body after he was accused of burning pages from the Holy Quran.
COMMENTS (52)
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I am heartened to see many sensible and sound comments from within Pakistan condemning a self-serving, unscrupulous lawyer. May God help him to see the error of his own ways, rather than seeking injustice, cruelty and personal gain.
@naeem hussain: Two wrongs don't make it right
News reports stated that the girl is illiterate.I wonder how she could have known that it was the Koran chapter or Noorani that she was burnt
She must be released at least now because she is 11 years old mentally immature girl and she has been victimized of a conspiracy or misused against the muslims by the some wrongful hands. If you want to arrest the real culprits then why don't you arrest Salman Rushdi and the US' soldiers who intentionally blaspheme the Islam and Islamic sacred personalities openly?????
@Muslim, as a Muslim you should know and believe that Allah has taken the responsibility of protecting the Quran and He will fulfill His promise. The Quran of Allah is not just a few printed pages bound together. It is the Message. By not following the Message we are disrespecting it enough, why are we all not booked for blasphemy. And historically, Quran was written many decades after Prophet Mohammed (pbuh). Before that if was only memorised, recited and practiced. These days it is printed, then wrapped in flowery covers and placed on the top of the highest closet in the house to be opened rarely because of the fear of disrespect, seldom read, never understood and practiced.
@kaalchakra: "I hope the dignity of Islam is maintained and justice is done. There is nothing wrong in defending Muslims who raise their hand against blasphemers. "
SO you think that a 14 year old mentally challenged girl who burnt a copy of Noorani Qaida that she found in a trash can is a blasphemer? What do you think of the person who threw the Noorani Qaeda in the trashcan? What do you think about people like Mumtaz Qadri - do you think they are bringing glory to Islam? What do you think of the TTP people who beheaded Pakistani soldiers - do you think they are bringing glory to Islam?Please think before you spread yur hated.
@qzj00: "Who in his right mind will admit to burning a chapter of Holy Quran . . . . "
Ah but she did not burn holy Quran. She bunt Noorani Qaida. BEcause that book had some Quranic verses in it, she is accused of burning Quranic verses.
"There are many Mumtaz Qadris in this country and we will support them"
is there no law against inciting hatred? surely this quack should be charged with it.
what i wouldnt do for 15 minutes with this monkey lawyer
@Azim Khan:
you are correct. He is some piece of work. I was wondering if he is a govt prosecutor or a private attorney?
This is his profile: https://link textwww.facebook.com/rao.abdurr...
Repeal the blasphemy law.
What pearls of wisdom do you truly expect from a man who's fighting to have a 14-year old, mentally handicapped girl rot in jail for disrespecting a religion that projects itself as "a religion of peace"?
Why do extremist views shock you?
REPEAL THIS BLACK LAW !!
@Riz Khan: Khan sahib, YES in any sensible country, but very very UNFORTUNATELY, in Pakistan, Mullah rules and MULLAH is allergic to logic and all kind of senses
I pray to Allah the Merciful that this child is set free. I dont understand why she is still held in jail if she is a minor. I pray that this black law that has brought such shame to Islam and Pakistan is repealed. Why has this lawyer's licence who is openly inciting murder not been revoked. These mullahs and their apologists are such cowards. They will attack children and innocents of all religions and sects who cannot defend themselves.They do not have a shred of decency morality or humanity. @naeem hussain: One wrong does not justify another wrong perpetrated on an innocent. Shame on your thinking!
I hope the dignity of Islam is maintained and justice is done. There is nothing wrong in defending Muslims who raise their hand against blasphemers. This has been a venerable tradition in Pakistan-India region and great Muslim leaders have never shirked this basic religious obligation.
@naeem hussain: THe situation with minorities is not to be proud of. But has any study been carried if this situation has any connection to the war on terror, the drones, and the atrocities? Any suggestion that Christians are victims because the foreign forces belong to the same faith?
it is easy to gang up against a girl who is non Muslim ,in fact being a minor she has no religion Biggest disgrace to name of Islam these pseudo Muslim , violent ,uncivilised. uneducated people? This is the reason whole world is suspicious of Pakistan
Well the lawyer need to be assessed first. Does an 11 or say 14 year old truely understand the meaning of hatred? faith? blasphemy? Sick... Poor child!
I pity the family home and neighborhood such a character as this lawyer lives in!
@Fatima: You cannot be serious. This is Pakistan. Attorneys tossed rose petals at Qadri and you are talking about Bar councils !
The lawyer should be arrested for inciting murder and tried under the Anti Terrorism Act. It is for these type of people (and for Mumtaz Qadri) that Quran definitely specifies death penalty, those who propogate FITNA.
He speaks like Zia! Whoo-aaa
@Random: Very good points
There are many Mumtaz Qadris in this country and we will support them,” the lawyer said, referring to Governor Salmaan Taseer’s killer.
The reasons that Pakistan finds itself in this rat hole of violence and bigotry are very clear from this statement. Violent bigots are plenty in Pakistan supported by equally violent bigot black coats. Pity the pakistanis.
@naeem hussain: one wrong doesnt justify another. Let those repsonsible for illegaly confining kids in afghanistan be answerable for their crimes. As a Pakistani muslim its a shame that this poor girl is in jail.
Shame on such lawyers who openly support and justify Mumtaz qadri's action. It shows how much we believe in rule of law. Mr lawyer is openly inciting hate and provoking people on violence. He should be prosecuted for his hate preaching.
IF I had been there in person hearing this lawyer blabber ,I would have changed his mind by opening the case which holds his mind ! .
Such a pity! When the whole nation (if there is one) should have been shielding the poor kid and media should have been focusing some sane and sensitive people, our people have chosen criminal silence, and our media opted to project a lunatic. Such is the Sham!!!
What about us, we the Muslims!! Who are discriminating the Holy Book every minute by not following it and disobeying ALLAH. What punishment this so called Muslim lawyer will seek for himself?
Islam is not about punishing or revenge only, it is more about forgiving, it's more about humanity. Please STOP portraying this nonsense picture of Islam.
This lawyer should be booked for inciting and supporting Murder by eulogizing Mumtaz Qadri and his actions.
We call ourselves custodians of Islam and the girl is accused of burning the Holy Quran. Here are some questions to think over
1- The girl was a garbage sifter/ collector. What was the noorani Qaida doing in the garbage in the first place. if anyone is supposed to be charged with desecration it should be the person who threw the Noorani Qaida In the Garbage
2- Desecration is based on intent. How in the world would it be desecration when the girl did not know what she was burning
i really pray that sanity prevails and we stop abusing the poor and the marginalized in the name of Islam
These comments alone are enough to put the lawyer himself in jail in any sensible country with some law and order.
“There are many Mumtaz Qadris in this country and we will support them,” the lawyer said Well said, then i think majority of Pakistani people support the murderers of their own children and relatives like happening in Karachi and other parts of the country. If this is so WE support the Mumtaz Qadris of the western world who are helpful to eliminate the fanatic mullahs. Second thing I wanted to mention is why Muslim brothers in Pakistan cry for Burmese Muslims in Rohingya? They are right and they can do this but why don't they raise their voice against Chinese government who has strict policy against Chinese Muslims in Southwest provinces of China. They are not allowed to observe their fasts there, strict in terms of religious festivals and when need arises government would smash them even. So why is this hypocrisy?? Pakistani Muslims should protest for Chinese Muslims as well and exert other countries look into this issue and not only Burma. I guess they don't have the courage to do so because they can't see it, stop worrying about Burma and if you really really worry for them protest for Chinese Muslims as well.
@naeem hussain: What a pathetic argument it is! First, please correct you information: so many organisations have raised voice against for keeping underage children. Secondly, even if they did not, what difference does it make? Wrong is wrong.
Intimidation is a weapon and the opposite side must resist and uphold what is right.
These lawyers are idiots, now they are going to decide who lives and who dies in this country. People should come out in support of this girl....
"There are many Mumtaz Qadris in this country and we will support them"
So a lawyer who openly advocates murder on suspicion of blasphemy is allowed to contest the case. I simply can't comprehend this absurdity. Mr CJP how can you stand by let these jingoists interpret law as they see fit.
He's in no way a lawyer, he is an idiot as far as this lawyer's opinion allows.
@postman -simple answer, lawyers too want their fifteen minutes of fame and wah wah.
Who the heck is this joker? Where did he study law?
“The victim has admitted that she burned a chapter of the Holy Quran,”
This information is currently being disputed and is therefore SUBJUDICE. You can't discuss sensitive facts of a case with the press if they're still DISPUTED in COURT. If this joker were anywhere else in the world he'd have his licence revoked.
"The lawyer said he did not want to see Masih’s case turned into another one focusing on changing the law, and he warned that to do so could again incite a violent reaction."
So which Bar Council are you trying to get voted into? Because you sound like a politician's thug, not a lawyer to me.
Children at Budgram airport and at Guantonomobay prison accused for terrorism are also minors why human rights organizations do not raise their voice for them? The answer is simple, they are Muslims.
Pity...lawyers have become the police
I don't get lawyers. Why do you have to prove yourself to be an idiot?
Come on let the poor miserable girl go !!!!!