What are the origins of Pakistani laws on “blasphemy?”

Development of Pakistani blasphemy laws In 1927, under pressure from the Muslim community, the administration of the British Raj enacted Hate Speech Law Section 295(A), a part of the Criminal Law Amendment Act XXV. This made it a criminal offence to insult the founders or leaders of any religious community.

Does Pakistan have blasphemy laws?

Today, about one quarter of the world’s countries and territories, most of them Muslim-majority nations, still have anti-blasphemy laws. Pakistan is among the countries where blasphemy is punishable by death. In many instances, the accused are killed by mobs before legal proceedings even begin.

What was the purpose of blasphemy laws?

Blasphemy laws originated to punish nonbelievers



In the Bible, Leviticus 24:15–16 calls for the stoning of anyone who curses the God of Israel. Ancient Greece and Rome had similar prohibitions against those who spoke ill of the gods.

What is the law of blasphemy in Islam?

Death is mandatory in cases of blasphemy, for both Muslim men and women. Shafi’i – recognizes blasphemy as a separate offense from apostasy, but accepts the repentance of blasphemers. If the blasphemer does not repent, the punishment is death.

How many blasphemy cases are there in Pakistan?

From , 107 women had been accused of blasphemy and 18 of them were extrajudicially murdered, two of them minors.

Who made blasphemy law in Pakistan?

the British Raj

Development of Pakistani blasphemy laws



In 1927, under pressure from the Muslim community, the administration of the British Raj enacted Hate Speech Law Section 295(A), a part of the Criminal Law Amendment Act XXV. This made it a criminal offence to insult the founders or leaders of any religious community.

What is 295 law in Pakistan?

Section 295 was amended in 1927 to expand the definition of those liable for prosecution to include anyone who had the “deliberate and malicious intention ofoutraging” the religious sentiment of any class of citizens “by words, either spoken or written, or by signs or by visible representations or otherwise, insults or

What is blasphemy in Pakistan?

Introduction. Pakistan’s draconian blasphemy laws have been used to perpetrate legit- imised violence, executed in the name of religion. These laws have been used particularly to reinforce the exclusion of religious minorities as well as Muslim-minority sects.

Does blasphemy apply to all religions?

As of 2019, 40 percent of the world’s countries still had blasphemy laws on the books, including 18 countries in the Middle East and North Africa, or 90% of countries in that region. Dharmic religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, have no concept of blasphemy and hence prescribe no punishment.



Is there any blasphemy law in Bangladesh?

Despite its state religion, Bangladesh uses a secular penal code which dates from 1860—the time of the British occupation. The penal code discourages blasphemy by a section that forbids “hurting religious sentiments.” Other laws permit the government to confiscate and to ban the publication of blasphemous material.

Which country has blasphemy laws?

In some countries – such as Afghanistan, Brunei, Iran, Mauritania, Nigeria, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia – violations of blasphemy laws can carry the possibility of the death penalty, according to sources used for this analysis.

Which countries do not have blasphemy law?

Romania does not have any blasphemy laws in force. According to Romanian law, “cults, religious associations and religious groups … must not infringe upon … fundamental human rights and liberties”, which, according to the Constitution of Romania, include freedom of conscience and freedom of expression.

What things are not allowed in Pakistan?

Harpoon guns and spear guns. Slingshots and catapults.



Devices designed to stun or immobilise, including:



  • Devices for shocking, such as stun guns (e.g. tasers) and stun batons.
  • Animal stunners.
  • Chemicals, gases and sprays such as mace, pepper spray or capsicum spray, tear gas, acid sprays and animal repellent sprays.


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