LAHORE, Pakistan: The brutal abduction, rape and murder of a Christian woman Shazia Imran in Lahore on June 06, 2023 after her refusal to convert to Islam has shocked and deeply saddened the human rights community in the Country.
“This heinous crime serves as a reminder of the grave dangers faced by individuals who stand firm in their religious beliefs,” said a statement issued by the Voice for Justice, an organisation working for human rights.
Zafar Masih, the brother of Shazia Imran, filed a First Information Report (FIR No: 1386/23) on June 07 at the Heyr Police Station in Lahore after Shazia failed to return home from work. Shazia was working as a nanny at the Daycare Center at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) and was the sole provider for her three children following the death of her husband.
Devastated by the news, the family positively identified the deceased body discovered by the Heyr Police Station on the same day. They are now seeking justice for their beloved Shazia Imran.
Strongly condemning this horrific act as an insult to humanity, the Chairperson of Voice for Justice Joseph Jansen expressed his utmost disgust at the barbaric and inhuman actions of the four Muslim perpetrators who abducted, raped and murdered Shazia Imran.
Joseph Jansen called upon the government to take immediate and decisive action against the assailants, ensuring they face the full force of the law. He stressed the importance of justice for Shazia Imran and demanded that the government treat this crime with the severity it deserves.
Disturbingly, incidents where Christian girls and women are subjected to pressure, harassment, and violence due to their refusal to convert to Islam are alarmingly common. This prevailing bias against Pakistani Christians, who are often considered second-class citizens, is the underlying cause of the persecution and discrimination experienced by the Christian Community in the Country.
“Our deepest condolences go out to Shazia Imran’s parents and her three minor children, who have tragically lost their parents. Shazia Imran was the sole breadwinner for her family, making her loss even more devastating. This abhorrent act underscores the grave danger faced by girls and young women, particularly those from Christian and other minority backgrounds, when they are subjected to coercion and forced conversions,” the Voice for Justice said.
The organization said that immediate action is imperative to ensure the safety and protection of these vulnerable individuals.
“We urgently call upon the authorities in Pakistan to address this issue promptly to prevent further tragic incidents like this from occurring. Accountability must be held, and justice must be served for Shazia Imran and her grieving family. It is crucial for the Pakistani government to abandon a defensive stance and instead confront the deep-rooted structural biases that perpetuate the vulnerability of women and girls,” it said.
A human rights activist Ashiknaz Khokhar expressed profound sorrow and anguish over the incident, highlighting the immense pain inflicted upon the entire community and Shazia Imran family.
Ashiknaz Khokhar emphasized that minority women and girls should not be subjected to abduction, rape, and murder simply because they refuse to abandon their faith.
A women’s rights activist Nadia Stephen stressed the vulnerability of women and girls who face such tragedies and their families face when perpetrators evade justice.
Nadia Stephen called upon the judiciary to ensure that the culprits are prosecuted and punished in accordance with existing laws. The government, too, must play its role by enacting robust legislation, criminalizing forced faith conversions, and strengthening the judicial system.
The women’s rights activist said that this tragic incident serves as a stark reminder that the safety and well-being of all individuals, regardless of their religious affiliation, must be safeguarded. All key actors must stand united in demanding justice for Shazia and urging the Pakistani government to take concrete steps toward a safer and more equitable society for all.
Another human rights activist Malook highlighted the increasing cases of kidnapping, rape, torture, and forced conversion and the resulting insecurity among marginalized communities.
Malook demanded the government to take serious notice of such crimes by punishing the perpetrators.
