KARACHI: A special or select committee should be appointed to look into the controversial and sensitive cases of blasphemy laws. At the same time, those accused of blasphemy as well as the petitioners need to approach higher courts so that their cases have a chance to be heard. Also, police and clerics should not be allowed to register such FIRs before investigating the matter. These suggestions were given by a group of experts on human rights cases, specifically related to blasphemy laws, at a meeting arranged by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Wednesday.

As finding and retaining lawyers gets increasingly difficult while pursuing cases of blasphemy, barrister and advocate Zahrah Sehr Vayani said those wrongly accused of blasphemy should approach larger bench so that the case does not end up being forgotten. She also spoke about how she faced hostility in Lahore while pursuing a supposed case of blasphemy. “We were strictly advised to leave the city after presenting our arguments,” she said.

Moderated by Sindh HRCP vice chairperson Asad Iqbal Butt, the three-hour session focused on the hurdles faced while representing an accused and the contradictory role of the media.

Assistant professor at Szabist Abeera Ashfaq was of the opinion that the task was to work towards bringing changes within the limited space that is available when it comes to amending blasphemy laws.

Advocate Ali Ahmed Tahir said Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code was difficult to amend as even the idea of an amendment could provoke mass protests and violence. Police should not have the power to arrest people before verifying the authenticity of the accusation, he said, adding that committee proceedings which first took place in 1974 should be allowed to take place in such cases.

Journalist Ali Arqam said it was time to name those who wrongly accused others of blasphemy and did not face the consequences of their actions.

He said there was a clear political and religious nexus between those who perpetuated violence against vulnerable groups. He added that experts should focus on current examples of blasphemy and how those cases were handled without getting involved into a religious debate that killed the purpose of looking for solutions.

Published in Dawn September 29th, 2016