Anwar Kenneth still fears for his life, despite no longer being on death row. csi
Pakistani Christian Anwar Kenneth, who was falsely charged with blasphemy and sentenced to death in 2001, has sent an audio message to Christian Solidarity International (CSI) to mark the first Christmas following his release from jail in October. In it, he says that he has been given his life back and shown that kindness still exists.
“I wrote these words overflowing with gratitude after spending 24 years and 26 days on death row,” says 72-year-old Kenneth who speaks in English.
“By the grace of God, my release and return to freedom has been possible thanks to your tireless efforts, unwavering support and steadfast commitment to justice. I’m deeply grateful for your persistence and compassion.”
Continuing risk from Islamists
Addressing CSI’s project partner, Anjum, Kenneth thanks him for fighting tirelessly to clear his name and to raise public awareness of the case.
“Your persistent advocacy played a crucial role in keeping my story alive. Your support, encouragement, and personal involvement in my struggle meant more to me than words can express.”
In closing, Kenneth says that even though he is now free he still feels at risk from Islamist extremists: “I continue to fear for my life.” He expresses the hope that he will find a place where he can live freely and without fear and begin rebuilding his life.
Legal efforts
Last year, a legal team supported by CSI filed an appeal with Pakistan’s supreme court in a bid to overturn Kenneth’s conviction.
In response to this appeal, on June 25 of this year his death sentence was finally overturned. And on October 21 Kenneth was released from Central Jail Faisalabad.
International human rights organizations had raised grave concerns over the case: Kenneth was said to be of unsound mind at the time of his arrest. A former government official, he was arrested on September 14, 2001, after sending a letter to a Muslim religious scholar and other prominent figures, expressing his beliefs as a Christian.
Speaking after the lifting of the death sentence, Kenneth’s supreme court attorney told CSI that Kenneth was “an innocent person who had committed no blasphemy.” Yet no lawyer had wanted to take on the case, he said, because of threats and pressure from different parties. “There were also threats against me,” the attorney added.
Blasphemy law abuse
Pakistan’s harsh blasphemy laws criminalize a range of offenses against Islam, including defiling the Qur’an and insulting the prophet of Islam. The latter carries the death sentence.
Religious minorities and people of low social status are particularly vulnerable to abuses of the blasphemy laws and are often unable to afford a legal defense.
The number of blasphemy prosecutions in Pakistan is surging—in part owing to a sharp increase in allegations of “online blasphemy” brought by vigilante groups against young people, often Christians.
