Voice For Justice

Millions remain behind bars worldwide—not for crimes, but for their faith, beliefs. At #HRC60, MEP @weimers spoke at @JubileeC’s side event, exposing arbitrary detention in 🇪🇷 #Eritrea , 🇨🇳 #China & 🇵🇰 #Pakistan. These detentions are tools of oppression. It is our duty to ensure these individuals are not forgotten—their stories must be shared, their pain acknowledged. Called for global action for their release. #ReligiousFreedom #FoRB @JubileeC @ECLJ_Official

#Pakistan : #UN / #EU Pakistan Federal Constitutional Court’s approval of the marriage of 12-year-old Christian girl Maria Shahbaz raises serious human rights concerns. Despite credible allegations of abduction, police inaction, and documentary evidence confirming her minor age, the Court upheld the marriage and dismissed her father’s habeas corpus petition. Official records establish her date of birth as 07 October 2012, while the marriage certificate contains conflicting information and lacks her signature. The reported circumstances—claims of coerced conversion, disputed consent, and procedural irregularities—underscore significant gaps in protection for vulnerable children. This decision appears inconsistent with obligations under domestic law, including the Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Act, and broader commitments to safeguard children from exploitation, forced marriage, and abuse. Urgent review, accountability, and strengthened legal safeguards are essential to ensure the protection of minors, uphold the rule of law, and maintain public confidence in the justice system. #ForcedConversions @weimers @anjahaga @EamonGilmore @JubileeC @AllianceMap @juliabicknell @TomObokata @EU_Commission @DavidAltonHL

#Pakistan Islamist Hardliners Push for Additional Punishment Against Christian Woman Already Sentenced to Death on Blasphemy Charges Islamabad, Pakistan – November 5, 2025 Today, the Islamabad High Court heard the case of Shagufta Kiran, a Christian mother of four who was sentenced to death in September 2024 under Section 295-C of Pakistan’s Penal Code (blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad). Although the trial court had acquitted Shagufta of other blasphemy-related charges under Sections 295-A and 298-A, which pertain to “outraging religious feelings” and “derogatory remarks against religious figures,” respectively, a group of extremist Muslim lawyers and the original complainant have now filed a petition demanding additional convictions under these sections. The case, listed as Criminal Appeal No. 383/2024 (Sharaz Ahmad Farooqi v. State), was heard today by a two-judge bench at the Islamabad High Court. The petitioners are seeking to extend her punishment despite her existing death sentence — a move that human rights advocates describe as vindictive and legally baseless. Shagufta’s defense team from Jubilee Campaign argued that she has already been wrongfully convicted under Section 295-C, and that this new petition reflects the increasing pressure from extremist elements attempting to influence Pakistan’s judiciary and weaponize blasphemy laws against religious minorities. Human rights organizations have condemned the ongoing persecution, noting that such actions violate Pakistan’s constitutional guarantees of a fair trial and equal protection under the law. “This attempt to add further punishment against an already condemned woman exposes how extremists misuse the legal system to target Christians,” said a rights advocate monitoring the case. Shagufta remains imprisoned at Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, while her defense team from Jubilee Campaign prepares to challenge both the conviction and the complainant’s appeal. Jubilee Campaign advocacy officer Joseph Janssen and lawyer Rana Abdul Hameed, who are leading the appeal, reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing justice: “We will fight until Shagufta Kiran is free. She is innocent and has committed no crime. These blasphemy cases are often politically and religiously motivated, and innocent people suffer because of false accusations.” Advocates have also raised concerns about so-called “blasphemy business groups” led by certain extremist lawyers, including those associated with Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) — a hardline organization designated as a terrorist group by the Government of Pakistan — who allegedly exploit blasphemy accusations for financial and political gain. Meanwhile, Shagufta’s family remains facing continuous threats from extremists, and her children are suffering from severe trauma due to prolonged persecution and separation from their mother. Human rights organizations are calling for urgent international attention to ensure justice for Shagufta Kiran. #ShaguftaKiran @JubileeC @NazilaGhanea @weimers

Yes sir. The killing of innocent Christians in Nigeria — and anywhere — must end immediately. The Department of War is preparing for action. Either the Nigerian Government protects Christians, or we will kill the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.

FAITH UNDER FIRE: Trump warns of a “mass slaughter” of Christians in Nigeria, says the U.S. is "ready, willing and able" to save Christians around the world.

After 24 years on death row for his Christian faith, Anwar Kenneth is free! Pakistan’s Supreme Court has acquitted him. Thank you @weimers @NazilaGhanea @JubileeC for your support in his release. thefridaytimes.com/10-Oct-2025/an… #AnwarKenneth #Faith #Justice

#Pakistan Anwar Kenneth Acquitted After 23 Years On Death Row Under Pakistan’s Blasphemy Laws Supreme Court overturns death sentence of 74-year-old Christian prisoner, exposing decades of injustice under Pakistan’s blasphemy regime. thefridaytimes.com/10-Oct-2025/an…

#Pakistan Anwar Kenneth Acquitted After 23 Years on Death Row Under Pakistan’s #BlasphemyLaws; Rights Groups Call for an End to Christian #Persecution October 9, 2025 — After more than two decades of wrongful #imprisonment, Anwar Kenneth, a 74-year-old Pakistani Christian and former civil servant, has finally been acquitted by the Supreme Court of Pakistan — a decision exposing the brutality and systemic failure of Pakistan’s notorious blasphemy laws. Kenneth’s acquittal is not merely the release of an innocent man; it is a glaring indictment of a legal framework that has been weaponized against religious minorities for decades. His 23 years on death row — much of it in solitary confinement — reflect a justice system that prioritizes fear over fairness, and extremist ideology over humanity. Kenneth was arrested in September 2001 for allegedly writing a letter expressing his #Christian beliefs. He was convicted under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code, which mandates the death penalty for alleged blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad. Sentenced to death in 2002, he languished in prison for nearly a quarter of a century. On October 8, 2025, the Supreme Court — in a judgment by Justice Athar Minallah, Justice Irfan Saadat Khan, and Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan — acquitted Kenneth. The Court stressed that the prosecution must prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt, and that the appellant could benefit from any material, oral, or documentary evidence produced by the prosecution. Kenneth, who was unaware that his actions were influenced by a mental disorder, benefited from the Medical Board’s opinion, which raised serious doubts regarding his criminal intent (mens rea). The judgment also reaffirmed that followers of all religions have the right to profess, practice, and propagate their beliefs, provided they do not encroach on the rights of others. Considering Kenneth’s age and prolonged imprisonment, the Court extended the benefit of the doubt, set aside previous High Court and trial court judgments, and ordered his immediate release. The Punjab Institute of Mental Health (PIMH) was instructed to continue his medical care. Joseph Janssen, Advocacy Officer at Jubilee Campaign Netherlands, played a pivotal role in securing Kenneth’s release. Janssen’s tireless advocacy at the UN and with EU Parliamentarians, alongside legal support from Jubilee Campaign Netherlands, culminated in Kenneth’s acquittal on October 8, 2025, following prolonged legal delays despite his mental unfitness. Janssen called on the Government of Pakistan and the European Parliament to ensure Kenneth’s release and safety. “Justice has finally been served for Anwar Kenneth, a poor Christian man who has endured nearly a lifetime of unimaginable suffering behind bars. This long-overdue acquittal is not only a relief for Kenneth but also a beacon of hope for all those unjustly imprisoned due to their faith,” Janssen said. In April 2024, six UN Special Rapporteurs and the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention issued an urgent communication to Pakistan, warning that Kenneth’s death sentence violated multiple articles of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). They condemned Pakistan’s mandatory death penalty under Section 295-C, highlighting the law’s systemic misuse against minorities and failure to protect them from persecution. Charlie Weimers, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) also advocated for Kenneth’s release. In November 2023, he joined activists outside the European Parliament demanding the release of Kenneth and other victims of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, calling them a “direct threat to our safety and freedom of religion.” Weimers has urged the #EU to link trade privileges and aid to Pakistan’s human rights record, calling the laws “weapons of terror against religious minorities” at a #UN Human Rights Council side event in March 2025. @weimers @NazilaGhanea @JubileeC @Voice4Justice7 #FoRB

#Pakistan After 13 Years Under Pakistan’s Blasphemy Laws, Christian Pastor Zafar Bhatti Finally Freed Activists Condemn Systemic Persecution of Christians and Call for Urgent Legal Reform After 13 years of wrongful imprisonment, Pakistani Christian Pastor Zafar Bhatti has finally been set free. On October 2, 2025, the Lahore High Court’s Rawalpindi Bench overturned his blasphemy conviction, declaring the charges baseless and fabricated. Bhatti had been detained since July 2012, falsely accused of sending blasphemous text messages — accusations he consistently denied. His legal team, led by renowned human rights lawyer Saif ul Malook, proved that the case was built on fabricated evidence and deep-rooted religious prejudice. His acquittal marks a long-overdue victory for justice, but also exposes the horrifying reality of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws as tools of persecution. Speaking on the verdict, Joseph Janssen, a leading Christian minority rights activist, delivered a scathing condemnation of Pakistan’s record: “Pakistan’s blasphemy laws have become weapons of terror against Christians and other minorities. For decades, these laws have been massively abused — used to settle personal scores, incite mobs, and justify horrific acts of violence. Innocent Christians are detained for years without evidence, while those who burn homes, lynch believers, or destroy churches walk free under state protection.” Across Pakistan, Christian men, women, and even children have been lynched, burned alive, or driven from their homes over false blasphemy accusations. Yet, perpetrators act with total impunity, protected by a culture of intolerance and official silence. Janssen highlighted several ongoing cases of injustice: “People like Anwar Kenneth have spent 23 years on death row despite being declared mentally unfit for trial. Shagufta Kiran has been imprisoned for over four years. Nadeem Masih has waited nine years for justice. Meanwhile, after the 2023 Jaranwala attacks, more than 300 rioters were granted bail — but two innocent Christians, Pervez and Ahsan, were handed death sentences. This is not justice — it’s persecution.” These cases represent blatant violations of international human rights law, including Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Pakistan is a signatory. “These are human beings — fathers, mothers, husbands, wives — suffering behind bars simply because of their faith,” Janssen said. “The world must recognize this for what it is: a systematic persecution disguised as piety, where blasphemy laws serve not God, but hatred.” Pastor Bhatti’s release should serve as a wake-up call for Pakistan and the international community. True justice demands urgent reform of the blasphemy laws, accountability for mob violence, and protection for all citizens — regardless of faith.@JubileeC @weimers

UN - #Pakistan Advocate Rana Abdul Hameed addressed the issue of arbitrary detention for religion or belief at the Side Event | #HRC60. Thank you for the opportunity to speak today on behalf of the victims of religious persecution and the Jubilee Campaign.@JubileeC I stand before you to express deep concern over the ongoing arbitrary detention and misuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan, which continue to devastate the lives of religious minorities and erode the foundations of justice. I represent Mr. Anwar Kenneth, a Christian and former government employee who has been imprisoned for more than 23 years. In 2001, he was arrested for allegedly writing letters considered blasphemous and charged under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code, a provision that mandates the death penalty. He was convicted in 2002 after a deeply flawed trial, and his sentence was upheld by the Lahore High Court in 2014. In March 2024, instead of addressing the matter on legal or humanitarian grounds, the Supreme Court of Pakistan referred the case to the Council of Islamic Ideology — a body with no constitutional authority over judicial matters. After persistent legal advocacy, a court-ordered mental health evaluation was finally conducted. In December 2024, the Punjab Institute of Mental Health diagnosed Mr. Kenneth with Bipolar Affective Disorder. Despite this medical finding and more than two decades of wrongful imprisonment, it was only in June 2025 that the Supreme Court stayed his execution. Yet, he remains behind bars — waiting for justice and freedom. How much longer must he suffer? Another heartbreaking case is that of Shagufta Kiran, a Christian mother of four, sentenced to death in September 2024 under similar blasphemy charges. She remains detained while her young children grow up without their mother. These are not isolated cases. They reflect a systemic failure — where religion is weaponized, justice is delayed or denied, and the most basic human rights are violated: the right to life, the freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, and the right to a fair trial. As a legal professional, I make a clear and urgent appeal to all UN Member States: Raise these cases in your dialogues with the Government of Pakistan. Intervene to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of Anwar Kenneth and Shagufta Kiran. These are not merely legal cases — they are human lives. Lives that matter. Lives that have been silenced. Lives that must be defended. youtube.com/watch?v=yDpV9-…

At a Side Event of the United Nations Human Rights Council – 60th Session (HRC60) Organized by @JubileeC and @ECLJ_Official Advocates for human rights called upon the governments of #Pakistan, #China, #Eritrea, #Algeria, and #Vietnam to immediately end the arbitrary detention of religious minorities and release all prisoners of conscience without delay. They expressed deep concern that individuals continue to be detained solely because of their faith or belief, emphasizing that such actions violate international human rights norms and obligations. Speakers also urged these governments to abolish blasphemy laws, which are often used to persecute members of religious and belief minorities. These laws are inconsistent with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, both of which guarantee freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. #ReligiousFreedom #FoRB

At the UN Human Rights Council’s 60th Session side event by @JubileeC Habteab Yemane Oguubazghi, former Eritrean appellate court judge @h_habteab said, The #Eritrean regime has carried out extrajudicial kidnappings of #Christian religious leaders, silencing them without due process or accountability. Instead of upholding freedom of belief, authorities have targeted pastors and elders, detaining them in secret prisons without charge or trial. This is not only a violation of international human rights law, but also an assault on Eritrea’s own heritage of faith and freedom. “Faith cannot be imprisoned. Conscience cannot be handcuffed. And truth cannot be silenced.”

#Eritrea At the UN Human Rights Council’s 60th Session, Habteab Yemane Oguubazghi, former Eritrean appellate court judge. @h_habteab We call upon the international community: do not remain silent. Silence is complicity. The world must raise its voice for those who have been unjustly silenced for far too long. To the families of the imprisoned, and to all who suffer for their faith in Eritrea, we say: your pain is not forgotten, your courage is not unseen, and your hope continues to inspire us. The struggle for freedom of belief and conscience in Eritrea is not just a national issue—it is a human issue. It demands solidarity, action, and unwavering commitment from all who stand for justice and human dignity.” @Shalomhabte1

Habteab Yemane Oguubazghi, former Eritrean appellate court judge, at The UN Side event #Eritrea once stood as a beacon of faith & coexistence — home to Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox Christians, Muslims, Jews, Adventists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Bahá’ís & many Pentecostal denominations. For generations, our people lived in harmony, united in respect & shared humanity. But under the rule of the EPLF turned PFDJ, this sacred harmony was shattered. Faith communities were silenced. Churches & mosques came under state control. Religious leaders were jailed simply for remaining true to their calling. Today, we raise our voices to demand freedom for the seven Eritrean Christian leaders unjustly imprisoned since 2004 — their only “crime” was their devotion to God & their defense of conscience. Let Eritrea once again be a land where faith is not a crime & worship is not punished. #FreeTheSeven #ReligiousFreedom #Eritrea #HumanRights

Join us for the Side Event at the United Nations Human Rights Council – 60th Session (HRC60) Arbitrary Detention for Religion or Belief 29 Sept 2025 | 🕒 15:00–16:00 Room IX, Palais des Nations, Geneva Focus: 🇵🇰 #Pakistan, Vietnam/China, #Eritrea, #Algeria Organized by @JubileeC @ECLJ_Official #HRC60 #FoRB #HumanRights

Seven #Eritrean #Christians jailed 20+ years just for their faith. Join us Sept 29, Room 9, from 3pm till 4pm UN Geneva to demand their freedom! Raise your voice #UntilAllSetFree #HumanRights #Faith #FoRB #Voices4Justice #Eritrea

#Eritrean Embassies Refuse Petitions to Free Christian Leaders Jailed 20+ Years as Global Protests Demand Immediate Release on International Day for Victims of Violence Based on Religion or Belief Brussels, August 25, 2025 — The Embassy of the State of Eritrea has #refused to accept a #petition calling for the release of seven Christian leaders imprisoned without charge or trial for over two decades, highlighting the regime’s blatant disregard for international law and human rights. Human rights advocates, faith groups, and members of the Eritrean diaspora staged protests, prayers, and embassy visits in Belgium @EritreaEU Sweden, @swedenineritrea the UK @ERUK1991 and Washington, D.C. @EmbassyEritrea to mark the International Day for Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief. Eritrea has often been described as “the North Korea of Africa” for its extreme repression of religious freedom. Since 2002, Eritrea has closed all independent churches, arresting and torturing thousands of #Christians merely for practicing their faith. Detainees have been held in shipping containers, underground cells, and other inhumane conditions. Among those most affected are seven senior church leaders—including Rev. Haile Naizge, Dr. Kuflu Gebremeskel, and Rev. Kidane Weldou—who remain incommunicado after more than 20 years, denied medical care, legal representation, and family visits. Speaking on X, human rights activist Joseph Janssen emphasized, “Eritrea’s refusal to even accept petitions demanding freedom for these seven Christian leaders is a blatant insult to human rights and international obligations. The international community cannot remain silent while faith is criminalized and people are tortured for their beliefs.” He added, “For over 20 years, these leaders have suffered in inhumane conditions simply for practicing their #faith. Eritrea’s actions are unconscionable, and the international community must impose sanctions until real justice and religious freedom are restored.” The Wengel Mermera Criminal Investigation Centre—described by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom as “atrocious”—is believed to hold these men alongside thousands of other prisoners of conscience. Families of detainees have been devastated: Rev. Naizge’s mother died without seeing her son; wives and children have fled the country under threat; and others have died in exile waiting for loved ones who never returned. “The plight of these men epitomizes Eritrea’s systematic assault on religious freedom and its cruel war against faith,” Janssen stressed. Despite repeated condemnation from the UN, African Union, and international rights groups, Eritrea has refused reform and continues to ignore its obligations under its Constitution, the African Charter, and international treaties such as the ICCPR. #Rights #organisations are calling for international action, urging that the #EU apply #diplomatic and economic pressure, and that the #US leverage #trade policy to secure #freedom for these leaders. Advocates insist that #Eritrea must immediately release the seven arbitrarily detained #church leaders, end the detention of Christians and other prisoners of conscience without charge or trial, allow independent religious institutions to operate freely, and fully comply with international human rights treaties, including the #ICCPR and the African Charter. Janssen concluded that the #International community must condition trade and relations with Eritrea on tangible reforms and the #protection of basic #HumanRights #Faithisnotacrime #Voices4Justice @IRF_Ambassador @IrfRoundtable @USCIRF @RepMarkWalker

As Eritrean-Catholic,I stand in solidarity with All Eritreans prisoners of conscience & Eritrean church leaders. None of the seven Eritrean church leaders have been formally charged & imprisoned without due process. @UN_HRC @hawelti @AmbStesfamariam @shabait #Voices4Justice