Freethought & Rationalism Archive

01-19-2002, 11:04 AM

If you want to know the background to this case please see <a href="http://iidb.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=2&t=000285" target="_blank">this</a>. Note, however, that since it is in the archive, it probably contains II links that no longer work. The essential story is there, however.

Immediately after the WTC and Pentagon attacks in September, it became obvious that the campaign would not get a lot of attention. Dr Shaikh lost his appeal and remains in prison in pretty poor conditions and under sentence of death for his alleged crime of blasphemy.

Now that the war in Afghanistan is running down and President Musharaff of Pakistan has had to make a decisive choice against the worst fundies, it seems a good time to re-energise the campaign to have Dr Shaikh (and other victims) freed and to start to process of restoring sensible law in Pakistan.

<a href="http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,59-2002031047,00.html" target="_blank">This letter</a> appeared in today's The Times. I would urge supporters to write similar letters to their own media.

copernicus · 01-19-2002, 06:57 PM

I agree that this is an ideal time to push for Dr. Shaikh's freedom. Americans can have a greater impact by writing to Senators and Congressional representatives. I believe that pressure from the US government is best applied now, when Pakistan is anxious to be seen as an enemy of extremism.

Toto · 01-20-2002, 02:41 PM

I don't recall any news about the appeal. The last thread ended with the appeal scheduled for early November of last year. Is there a written decision? Was there a news report? I assume there will be another appeal to a higher court. If there were something in the news, it could be the focal point of a letter.

Last August I wrote to the LA Times to complain about their lack of coverage, but now the whole world seems to have forgotten about Dr. Shaikh.

Amnesty International does not seem to have made this a priority case, since Dr. Shaikh is not about to be executed, and they have so many more egregious cases to be concerned with.

Here is the letter from the Times, for reference:

Quote:

Sir, President Musharraf�s declaration (report, January 14) of his opposition to terrorist activity is a welcome development, and one that has taken courage, given the level of support for Islamic extremism in Pakistan.

Having engaged with the Islamists over terrorism, perhaps he will now do so with respect to civil liberties. In particular, he should tackle the iniquitous blasphemy law under which so many have been imprisoned. Dr Younus Shaikh, a respected Humanist and an Amnesty International Prisoner of Conscience, languishes in jail under sentence of death for this �crime� (report, August 20, 2001). It is alleged that he suggested that the Prophet Muhammad was not a Muslim before he received his revelation from God. Most people would see this as a matter for theological or historical discussion, not a cause for a death sentence.

It is regrettable that English law should set such a poor example in retaining its own blasphemy law, which is surely against basic human rights. No religion is worthy of respect if it needs such support.

Yours faithfully,
BABU GOGINENI (Executive Director),
International Humanist and Ethical Union,
47 Theobalds Road, WC1X 8SP.
January 17.

Toto · 01-28-2002, 12:02 PM

exceprts from InternationalHumanistNews@topica.com:

Quote:

. . .
At a time when President Musharraf of Pakistan is making some positive moves to keep the fundamentalist religious forces in his country in check, and trying to loosen the iron grip of medieval religion in his country, it is astonishing that one of the most modern persons in that country is languishing in a small death cell, instead of helping his fellow country men move forward towards a better future. A peace activist like Dr. Shaikh deserves to be feted in a sub-continent which so often is on the brink of war. As you will see in his letter, the problem of Kashmir may also have something to do with his arrest ...

In his letter Dr. Shaikh thanks the IHEU for the campaign. In fact, the thanks are due to YOU for having kept the case alive. You have in the past signed petitions in Dr. Shaikh's support, and asked General Musharraf as well as the politicians in your own country to intervene and to ensure justice is done to him. You have also contributed money to help pay for his legal defence and for his welfare. As the IHEU's webpage <a href="http://iheu.org/Shaikh" target="_blank">http://iheu.org/Shaikh</a> shows, there has been worldwide support to Dr. Shaikh; thousands have signed petitions in his support; several national governments were beginning to take an official stance about Dr. Shaikh - only the events of 11 September resulted in his case being eclipsed. But Dr. Shaikh must not be abandoned: his case is symbolic and even more important since the events of 11 September. For he is the victim of religious terrorism too.

Dr. Shaikh's case can be the focus for the international efforts to reform or eliminate Pakistan's blasphemy laws. But there are hundreds of others languishing in prison on charges of blasphemy in that country: Christians, Ahmadis and other religious minorities. All of them will benefit from our campaign.

. . .

Please

1). Write again to your local newspaper.
2). Ask your elected representative what concrete action he or she may have taken since the last time you contacted them.
3). Write to President Musharraf at ce@pak.gov.pk
4). Forward to IHEU any press clippings or news of major media coverage relating to blapshemy laws and the Dr. Shaikh campaign.
5). Forward this communication far and wide so that more people can be involved in the campaign.
6). Join hands with the IHEU in our campaign to rid the world of blasphemy laws and to achieve complete Separation of Religion and State in all countries. 2002 marks the bi-centenary of the famous letter by Thomas Jefferson on the 'Wall of Separation between Church and State'. Become an individual supporter of the IHEU and strengthen the IHEU's work. Details can be found on the website or e mail humanism@iheu.org
7). Establish a weblink from your website to the IHEU's webpage at <a href="http://www.iheu.org" target="_blank">www.iheu.org</a>

In a 15 minute discussion on BBC World Service just over a week ago I was able to raise the issue of Dr. Shaikh and blasphemy laws around the world; The Times UK carried a letter from the IHEU on the subject of blasphemy and Dr. Shaikh, well known columnist Ardeshir Cowasjee has written an article on Dr. Shaikh today in Pakistan. The campaign has again kicked off. Please join it and do feel free to draw inspiration from Dr. Shaikh's own courage and to quote from his letter to me. Please copy all your communications to campaign@iheu.org

regards,

Babu Gogineni
Executive Director, IHEU

Edited extracts from Dr. Shaikh's letter to Babu Gogineni,Executive Director, International Humanist and Ethical Union ( <a href="http://www.iheu.org" target="_blank">www.iheu.org</a> ). (Written in November 2001)

I hope this letter finds you in the best of your health. I am well and trying to keep fit. Well, the 11th September US tragedy brought a lot of grief for the loss of valuable American lives. Indeed, it was a great loss for humanity and civilization. Religious barbarism struck a blow and awakened the world to the horrors of religious dogmatic beliefs and practices; as well as it stressed the need for humanism, liberalism and secularism. I wrote a letter to the US Embassy here, as well as, sent a message expressing my grief to Prof. Paul Kurtz and American humanists.

As you might remember, my paper 'Deeni Madarsas and Rise of Taliban' presented at IHEU's Mumbai Congress fringe was on this topic. Indeed, globalisation of the world village exposed even the most developed societies to the religious barbarism of most backward societies. And here intensely arises the question of developing and morally supporting the third world liberal persons, associations and governments. Mere slogans of democracy are not enough. Globalization of Humanism, Liberalism and Secularism is necessary not only for the good of the third world countries but also for the 'spiritual' and physical defence of the developed and civilised world.

My Case
Now about myself: on 18.08.01 Capital Punishment was pronounced against me, though the case did not merit this.

1). On 1 October 2000 I attended a meeting of South Asian Union addressed by an ISI (Inter Services Intelligence) Brig. Shaukat Qadir (retd.) also running a religious-political association of Jamait - I - Islami. I asked a couple of questions about South Asian peace and Kashmir which offended him & he returned a threat. There were foreign office policy makers and newsmen sitting there.

2. Within 48 hours, a foreign office Pakistan's employee who was also my student at the medical college I used to lecture at the morning time, prepared an application against me alleging blasphemous remarks in their class and gave to a cleric, who improving upon the complaint, accused me of a specific instance of 2-10-2000 in the class of IInd year male students and registered the case with Police.

- The Court set aside the cleric's evidence as hearsay.

- The student who wrote the application was found to be absent from the college on the day of the alleged incident, so his evidence was set aside.

- Two other students gave evidence that they heard the alleged blasphemous remarks on 2-10-2000 at 12.15 noon in a lecture that lasted between 12.00 to 12.45 noon.

- In my statement, I informed the Court that on 2-10-2000, I did not take any lecture from 12.00 o 12.45 noon, and therefore there was no incident of uttering blasphemous remarks at 12.15 noon. In support of this I presented the college timetable before the court, which confirmed that my timings at college were limited from 9.30 am to 12.00 noon only.

- Therefore neither the incident took place, nor the prosecution proved that the alleged sentences were blasphemous.

- During the trial, the religious students of the claimant clerics Deeni Madrassa used to demonstrate against me wearing the Taliban style headdress & uniforms, my solicitors were threatened so much so that the court had to be moved to central Jail, Rawalpindi.

- The Court in camera held at Central Jail, Rawalpindi sentenced me to Capital Punishment, despite the flimsy and uncorroborated evidence against me, and despite documentary evidence in my favour, against which our appeal has been launched.

- People here designed the abuse of the blasphemy law 295/c Pakistan Penal Code as Religious Terrorism with Law Code.

Thanks to friends like you, I am in good spirits and waiting for decision on my appeal. I am also thankful to IHEU, Amnesty International and other individuals and groups for their support.

As per news here, the American and Allied Forces have taken most of Afghanistan from the shackles of Taliban religious Terrorism; it had lots of influence on Islamabad administration, so hopes are rising for some liberal atmosphere.

My convictions for the truth of our life stance Humanism are indeed unshakeable and unbeatable. And I am most thankful for the sympathy and support from the Humanist Family of the World.

My regards to all Humanists, individually and collectively.

Yours in Humanism

Dr. M. Younas Shaikh
Death Cell

Toto · 03-27-2002, 09:25 AM

The latest:

<a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2002/03/26/usat-blasphemy.htm" target="_blank">Words can bring death sentence in Pakistan</a>

Quote:

{E}xtremists don't have to commit crimes — such as the grenade attack this month at an Islamabad church that killed an American woman, her daughter and three others (possibly including the attacker) — to terrorize those they consider infidels. They can use the law of the land instead.

. . .

The blasphemy laws date back to when Great Britain ruled India and what is now Pakistan. The laws were designed to keep Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs from using inflammatory religious slurs that could trigger communal violence. But in 1986, Pakistan's military strongman, Gen. Mohammed Zia ul-Haq, in a bid to win support from fundamentalists, changed the laws to protect Islam alone.

not brainwashed · 04-25-2002, 07:08 PM

Can anyone tell me the latest on Younus Shaikh. I heard nothing about this in Australia!! (and I'm an avid newspaper reader)

Toto · 04-25-2002, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by not brainwashed:
<strong>Can anyone tell me the latest on Younus Shaikh. I heard nothing about this in Australia!! (and I'm an avid newspaper reader)</strong>

Latest updates should be on this site, and you can sign up for an email list there:

<a href="http://www.iheu.org/Shaikh/index.htm" target="_blank">http://www.iheu.org/Shaikh/index.htm</a>

As far as I've heard, he is still sitting in prison, waiting for a higher court to rule on his case. He's not being tortured or starved, so he is not at the top of Amnesty International's priorities.

John Hancock · 05-09-2002, 01:10 PM

WOW! This went right under my radar. I guess I'd better compose some Emails.

Toto · 07-06-2002, 10:40 AM

Update: I have received this forwarded email:

Dear Friends!

Your urgent action can save a Human Life. Please help!

Hearings in the appeal for Dr. Shaikh have concluded in the High Court in Islamabad. As you know, this peace activist was convicted to death in a lower court on charges of Blasphemy under Pakistan's brutal Islamic law Section 295 C. The charge on which he was found guilty was that he blasphemed the Prophet Mohammad by saying the Prophet could not have been a Muslim before Islam was revealed to him.

For this Dr. Shaikh might be killed by the State of Pakistan.

Dr. Shaikh denies having said anything blasphemous. In fact the original complainant was not an eye witness, and the defence proved that Dr. Shaikh was not even present in the class room at the medical college (where he teaches physiology) at the time when he is alleged to have made the allegedly blasphemous statements. But the trial at the lower court was a kangaroo court: the hearings were accompanied by the presence of murderous mullahs who threatened both the defence and the Judge. He had no fair trial. The death penalty is barbaric.

The High Court heard arguments from respected advocate Abid Hasan Manto over two days, and the judge has reserved judgment. It will be pronounced in a week's time. We have less than a week to help save his life.

Please:

- Forward this appeal to all your e mail contacts, urging them to act.
- Help bring international pressure on the government of Pakistan by writing to your newspaper. Suggest that your newspaper to cover the news item.

- Details of who to write to are available on the IHEU's website at <a href="http://www.iheu.org/Shaikh" target="_blank">www.iheu.org/Shaikh</a>

Call your Foreign Ministry in your country, and demand that they take steps to issue a diplomatic demarche to the Pakistan Ambassador in your country.

PLEASE! Dr. Shaikh has already spent 637 days in prison, mostly in solitary confinement. In a week's time he may be free. With your efforts and help it could be a reality!

The IHEU's 50 Anniversary Congress in the Netherlands had participation from the Prime Minister of the Netherlands Dr. Kok, as well as the outspoken Minister Dr. Pronk. The Congress consisting of people from 20 countries has resolved to do all that is possible to lobby to save Dr. Shaikh's life (Congress details and live web transmissions at <a href="http://www.humanworldcongress.org" target="_blank">www.humanworldcongress.org</a> )by contacting these dignitaries and others. Television and Radio information is being transmitted on Dr. Shaikh's case. We trying our best. Please join your efforts to ours. Together we may be successful!

In urgency,

Babu Gogineni
Executive Director
International Humanist and Ethical Union
<a href="http://www.iheu.org" target="_blank">www.iheu.org</a>

01-19-2002, 11:04 AM	#1
DMB Guest Posts: n/a	Please support campaign for Dr Younus Shaikh If you want to know the background to this case please see <a href="http://iidb.org/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=2&t=000285" target="_blank">this</a>. Note, however, that since it is in the archive, it probably contains II links that no longer work. The essential story is there, however. Immediately after the WTC and Pentagon attacks in September, it became obvious that the campaign would not get a lot of attention. Dr Shaikh lost his appeal and remains in prison in pretty poor conditions and under sentence of death for his alleged crime of blasphemy. Now that the war in Afghanistan is running down and President Musharaff of Pakistan has had to make a decisive choice against the worst fundies, it seems a good time to re-energise the campaign to have Dr Shaikh (and other victims) freed and to start to process of restoring sensible law in Pakistan. <a href="http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,59-2002031047,00.html" target="_blank">This letter</a> appeared in today's The Times. I would urge supporters to write similar letters to their own media.

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01-19-2002, 06:57 PM	#2
copernicus Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 1,531	I agree that this is an ideal time to push for Dr. Shaikh's freedom. Americans can have a greater impact by writing to Senators and Congressional representatives. I believe that pressure from the US government is best applied now, when Pakistan is anxious to be seen as an enemy of extremism.

04-25-2002, 07:08 PM	#6
not brainwashed Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Sydney Posts: 5	Can anyone tell me the latest on Younus Shaikh. I heard nothing about this in Australia!! (and I'm an avid newspaper reader)

05-09-2002, 01:10 PM	#8
John Hancock Banned Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Mars Posts: 2,231	WOW! This went right under my radar. I guess I'd better compose some Emails.

07-06-2002, 10:40 AM	#9
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	Update: I have received this forwarded email: Dear Friends! Your urgent action can save a Human Life. Please help! Hearings in the appeal for Dr. Shaikh have concluded in the High Court in Islamabad. As you know, this peace activist was convicted to death in a lower court on charges of Blasphemy under Pakistan's brutal Islamic law Section 295 C. The charge on which he was found guilty was that he blasphemed the Prophet Mohammad by saying the Prophet could not have been a Muslim before Islam was revealed to him. For this Dr. Shaikh might be killed by the State of Pakistan. Dr. Shaikh denies having said anything blasphemous. In fact the original complainant was not an eye witness, and the defence proved that Dr. Shaikh was not even present in the class room at the medical college (where he teaches physiology) at the time when he is alleged to have made the allegedly blasphemous statements. But the trial at the lower court was a kangaroo court: the hearings were accompanied by the presence of murderous mullahs who threatened both the defence and the Judge. He had no fair trial. The death penalty is barbaric. The High Court heard arguments from respected advocate Abid Hasan Manto over two days, and the judge has reserved judgment. It will be pronounced in a week's time. We have less than a week to help save his life. Please: - Forward this appeal to all your e mail contacts, urging them to act. - Help bring international pressure on the government of Pakistan by writing to your newspaper. Suggest that your newspaper to cover the news item. - Details of who to write to are available on the IHEU's website at <a href="http://www.iheu.org/Shaikh" target="_blank">www.iheu.org/Shaikh</a> Call your Foreign Ministry in your country, and demand that they take steps to issue a diplomatic demarche to the Pakistan Ambassador in your country. PLEASE! Dr. Shaikh has already spent 637 days in prison, mostly in solitary confinement. In a week's time he may be free. With your efforts and help it could be a reality! The IHEU's 50 Anniversary Congress in the Netherlands had participation from the Prime Minister of the Netherlands Dr. Kok, as well as the outspoken Minister Dr. Pronk. The Congress consisting of people from 20 countries has resolved to do all that is possible to lobby to save Dr. Shaikh's life (Congress details and live web transmissions at <a href="http://www.humanworldcongress.org" target="_blank">www.humanworldcongress.org</a> )by contacting these dignitaries and others. Television and Radio information is being transmitted on Dr. Shaikh's case. We trying our best. Please join your efforts to ours. Together we may be successful! In urgency, Babu Gogineni Executive Director International Humanist and Ethical Union <a href="http://www.iheu.org" target="_blank">www.iheu.org</a>

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