America Demands Reforms in Pakistan's Blasphemy Laws After His Citizen's Killing in Peshawar
Posted By: Atif Sheikh, August 01, 2020 | 12:11:13America Demands Reforms in Pakistan's Blasphemy Laws After His Citizen's Killing in Peshawar
Here is US State Department's Official Statement
We are shocked, saddened, and outraged that American citizen Tahir Naseem was killed yesterday inside a Pakistani courtroom. Mr. Naseem had been lured to Pakistan from his home in Illinois by individuals who then used Pakistan’s blasphemy laws to entrap him. The U.S. Government has been providing consular assistance to Mr. Naseem and his family since his detention in 2018 and has called the attention of senior Pakistani officials to his case to prevent the type of shameful tragedy that eventually occurred. We grieve with the family of Mr. Naseem. We urge Pakistan to immediately reform its often abused blasphemy laws and its court system, which allow such abuses to occur, and to ensure that the suspect is prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
US State Department
The US strongly opposes blasphemy laws as wholly inconsistent with international human rights standards. They impede the freedom of individuals to exercise their faith, change their religion, not have a religion, or tell others about their religious beliefs and practices.
— Ambassador Sam Brownback (@IRF_Ambassador) July 30, 2020
Disturbed by reports that Tahir Naseem, a US Citizen, was murdered while standing trial for #blasphemy. We call on @PakPMO and the Government of Pakistan to ensure the perpetrator is held accountable and investigate this egregious courtroom security lapse. https://t.co/jlCZb2wiF0
— Ambassador Sam Brownback (@IRF_Ambassador) July 30, 2020
Deeply troubled & saddened that U.S. citizen Tahir Naseem was killed yesterday in a courtroom in Pakistan. Our sincere condolences go out to his family. We strongly urge Pakistan to reform its blasphemy laws & court system, which allow such abuses to occur.https://t.co/9CNZIiE0av
— Cale Brown (@StateDeputySPOX) July 30, 2020