Pakistani Judges Convicting People of ‘Blasphemy’ Without Evidence, Says U.N. Expert

Cybercast News Service ^ | May 30, 2012 | Patrick Goodenough

[Olog-hai]

A visiting U.N. human rights expert has drawn fresh attention to the abuses arising from Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, reporting that fear of reprisals result in intimidated judges bringing convictions without evidence while lawyers avoid taking up cases.

The criticism by Gabriela Knaul, a “special rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers,” came at the end of an 11-day visit to Pakistan to study the country’s judicial system, the first by a U.N. human rights expert since 1999.

Pakistan generally manages to sidestep censure at the U.N. Human Rights Council, a body in which it wields substantial influence through its leadership of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). But although the post held by Knaul, a Brazilian judge, reports to the HRC, it is also independent.

Knaul will deliver a full report on her visit to the HRC later, but ended her trip with a press briefing in Islamabad at which she outlined her concerns over a range of issues.

“Threats, attacks, kidnappings and killings of lawyers should not be tolerated,” she said. “It was brought to my attention that some lawyers refuse to take up cases which are deemed sensitive as regards religion, customs or tradition out of fear of reprisals against themselves or their families.”

“Moreover, I am especially concerned regarding cases brought under the so-called ‘blasphemy law,’ as it was reported to me that judges have been coerced to decide against the accused even without supporting evidence,” Knaul continued.

“As for the lawyers, in addition to their reluctance to take up such cases, they are targeted and forced not to represent their clients properly.” …

[HiTech RedNeck]

She announced this in Islamabad? Nervy chick.

[Uncle Miltie]

So if there’s evidence, then it’s okay to stone them to death.

[SampleMan]

Without evidence?

Hey, I have an issue with it when there is evidence.

[Conservative Vermont Vet]

She announced this in Islamabad? Nervy chick.

Spot on.

AND coming from someone in the UN?

Doubly shocked!

I'm betting she won't be welcomed back in Paki-Stanh anytime soon and if she goes, she had better have some realllly good security.

Those Mooselimbs there don't take kindly to women in the first place and her attacking their "Religion of Pieces" ain't gonna make her very popular with the "believers" of this evil cult

[Olog-hai]

That’s the UN for you.

[ravager]

The very fact that Pakistan has blasphemy laws doesn't seem to be much of an issue for the UN. The only issue here is conviction without evidence.

[Olog-hai]

I don’t recall this to be an issue for the UN in any case, not even with the European Union, which has anti-blasphemy laws at member-state and “Union” level. I would have to laugh, though, if the USA did come out with an anti-blasphemy law (which is unconstitutional in any case) and the UN jumps out of its skin and starts to accuse the USA of “violating human rights” blah blah blah . . . or of course, Israel . . .