Testimony of Hector Aleem

My main charge was blasphemy under section 295 C that has only one punishment which is the death penalty. While I was in prison, many other charges were lodged against me so that I could not come out and start my work that I left (my missionary work and construction of the church).

This incident was on December 21, 2010. It was my hearing date that day. I was brought from prison in front of the judge. My wife and both of my daughters were also there for the hearing; they were covering their faces. I thought that it was a normal hearing.  The judge called, and told me that after one hour your case judgment will be announced (not the blasphemy case, the other case) but this was a false case of land grabbing.  It was actually a church land where a church was to be built which was already there many years ago but was destroyed by Government of Pakistan.  My only fault was to struggle to rebuild that church.

When judge called me after one hour, he awarded me seven years punishment without any proof and evidence. I wasn't allowed to have a lawyer. And almost $2500 in fines and in case I cannot pay the big amount, I would have to spend 2 more years in prison as a penalty. In short, it was of total nine years imprisonment. I was shocked and very upset, and I thought that it's totally illegal and baseless. My wife and both daughters started to cry and I was so helpless and didn't know what to do. After the hearing, I was taken back to the prison. And there I was put into a dirty and isolated cell. That night, I cried a lot and I screamed with pain and the feeling of being deserted. I could not sleep that night, and I prayed all night. I asked God why He has forsaken me and why I am suffering like this. I asked Him that when you know the truth that it was not a land grabbing case but I peacefully struggled for the rebuilding of the destroyed church than why you still let it happen to me? Then I decided that I would go on 10 day fast, I will eat and drink a little after every 24 hour.

When I completed my 10 days fast, that same evening, a prison officer came to my cell and told me that I will be shifted to another cell. He said that you are being shifted to another cell because your sentence has been finished because the High Court Chief Justice took an action against the judge that awarded me a long sentence without any evidence. That judge was removed from the Government Service and he ordered an inquiry against that same judge. “Now your sentence has been removed and your record is clean and you are as innocent as a little child” the officer said. And those false charges (against me in that particular case) have been dropped. I thanked God and it was my great testimony in prison that it never happened that a judge be granted a punishment for awarding illegal punishment. After that I became stronger in God and my faith got stronger than ever. Our God is great and He is good. Satan keeps doing his work and God allows him to do things against us but God does His work in time and his timings are perfect. Amen

Stand with Pakistani Christian Refugees - Hector Aleem

The dilemma for Christians in Pakistan is that they are very peaceful but the government and agencies of the country are hell bent on exterminating them. Despite being loyal to Pakistan, Christians have to flee the country and live a life of refugee in difficult countries like Thailand, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia etc. After being shamefully defeated by India, Pakistani army focused all its attention to the vulnerable Christians of Pakistan. Believe it or not, Pakistan through its agencies is busy in spreading Talibanisation and Islamisation all over the world. Its time for the whole world to stand with Pakistani Christian refugees who are scattered in different parts of the world.

Views of Hector Aleem about SP. Singha

During the British rule of India, British Government sent Sir. Stafford Cripps (head of Cripps Mission) to India with his delegation. In that plan India was offered with a plan of independence.

Punjab Province was the biggest province of India, in the East of that Province Hindus and Sikhs were in majority so according to the plan that part was to be annexed with present day India. In the western part of Punjab, Muslims were in majority so that part was to be given to Pakistan. And from Lahore City to River Jehelum (present day Punjab, Pakistan) Christians were in majority, so according to the plan this part of Punjab province was to be given to Christians so that they can create their own separate Christian Country.

Punjab Assembly at that time voted on the plan, some members of the assembly supported going with India and some members supported with going to Pakistan. There were also Christian members of Punjab Assembly and at that time the speaker of the Punjab assembly was also a Christian whose name was SP.Singha. SP.Singha supported Pakistan and he also made other Christian members of Punjab Assembly to vote for Pakistan. So the Christian part of Punjab was also annexed with Pakistan due to the votes of SP.Singha and his other fellow Christian members of assembly.

At that time that was considered a vote for freedom but now after 67 years, Christians must decide….was it a vote for freedom or slavery? Implementing of Martial Law by dictator Ayub Khan 1958. Mrs.Singha left Pakistan and lived her life with her daughter in India.

Hector Aleem describes two nation theory in Pakistan

Before the arrival of Islam in the subcontinent, nations living there like Christians, Buddhists and Hindus were living peacefully, then came the robbers and thugs like Mohammad Bin Qasim, Mehmood Ghaznavi and others from Afghanistan and Middle East, who disturbed those peaceful people and demolished and ruined their worship places. Pakistani Muslims of today still read those awful deeds of their ancestors with fun and tell these stories to children proudly and now have named their nuclear missiles on the names of these terrorists and thugs. Then came the British, who ruled this region for many years, Muslims of that time raised their voice for two nation theory and describing it as that they have different dresses and different religion from Hindus. But the Christians of this region have been facing discrimination since the arrival of Muslims in this continent because the real enemy of Christians are Muslims not Hindus since the arrival of Islam. Their history is full of killing Christians and Jews when Islam spreaded.  When Muslims arrived in subcontinent, they followed the same path of their ancestors and targeted Christians of the region. Muslims are targeting Christians all over the world whether they are in a Muslim country or a non-Muslim country. Where Islam is dominant (as in the Middle East and Pakistan) religious minorities suffer brutal persecution with little resistance. Where Islam is in the minority (as in Thailand, the Philippines and Europe) there is the threat of violence if Muslim demands are not met.  Either situation seems to provide a justification for religious terrorism, which is persistent and endemic to Islamic fundamentalism.

Pakistani Christians are very peaceful nation and they waited for 67 years for their right of free speech and freedom to practice their religion but they are never allowed to do so in Pakistan. Two Nation theory applies here because Christians have everything different with Muslims. Christians, Jews and Muslims are called Abrahamic religions but Muslims created the difference by calling God, Allah and it is forbidden for many non-Muslims in Muslims countries to call Allah as their God. This is the biggest difference they have created. Muslims only had differences of dress and religion with the Hindus but Christians have difference of religion, culture, language, customs, dresses and everything with the Muslims. According to our Christian faith, Jesus Christ is the son of God, Christianity is based on it, and we believe that God gave all His powers to Jesus Christ, this is our faith and after Jesus Christ no prophet is required. We have been hearing that Islam spread through sword, and it is still happening in Pakistan, I have witnessed what they do to Christians of Pakistan, Christians are forcibly made to accept the Muslim Prophet as their last prophet, they are forced to renounce their religion and faith and practice the Christianity according to Islam. We are forced to accept Prophet Mohammad as our last prophet and our Christian girls are forced to cover their heads during the recitation of Quranic verses and Azan in every part of Pakistan. During these 67 years, Christians of Pakistan have faced the worst examples of discrimination. It is now time that Christians should rise against this discrimination because it is unbearable when we see our Christian girls and women being raped and kidnapped and when the judge gives the decision in favour of the rapist and kidnappers by keeping discrimination and prejudice in his mind. In blasphemy cases, one can experience the worst example of discrimination and torture in prison during this case. I, myself have been the victim of this discriminatory law and experienced and eye witnessed worst form of torture that is impossible for me to explain. The First Information Report (FIR) of a blasphemy case can be lodged on oral statement and no official investigate the case before lodging the FIR. It is required that the plaintiff should be a Muslim and the officials trust him blindly, the accused is than brought in front of the plaintiff and clerics by the police officers and they torture him in front of his plaintiffs and others. The lawyers boycott the accused and no one takes his/her case and leaves the accused alone. It is essential that the judge who is dealing the blasphemy case should be a Muslim and when the accused is produced before the court, the first question of the judge is “Why did you do it” no one asks him if he really does it? In the result, the victim losses his family, house, relatives, respect and friends and during or before the trail he gets killed by the police or inmates. Same is in the education system; the teachers are discriminative towards the Christian students. From the very first day of school, Christian child starts to hear that Christianity is a false religion and that they should accept Islam if they want to go to Heaven. Christians never get any key post in police and district management.

Now let’s talk about Politicians of Pakistan, we all know about Fazal ur Rehman who recruited many Talibans. Chairman of Council of Islamic Ideology (Islami Nazriati Council) is Maulana Sharani of JUI (F) (Jamiat Ullema Islam – Fazal ur Rehman), the same maulana who criticised a Christian MNA (Member of National Assembly) Tariq.C.Qaiser, who recited “in the name Our Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit” in National Assembly though Tariq C Qaiser was reciting it as his own faith. After that they tormented and harassed him that much that he had to flee the country. Politicians like Imran Khan and Maulana Fazal Ur Rehman talks against Christianity bravely and proudly without any hesitation and give statements in favour of Talibans. When any terrorist attack or a blast occurs in Christian enclaves or Church we hear only one statement from President to MNAs (Member of National Assembly) that no Muslim can do this it is an act of enemies of Islam. Same is with print and electronic media of Pakistan; they keep disgracing Christianity and spread false news and hateful material about Christianity.

In the end I would like to say that Christians have not arrived in this region from USA or Europe they are the indigenous people of this region, but Muslims of Pakistan proudly tells about their ancestors as Sherazi from Sheraz, Bukhari from Bukhara, Qureshi from the Quresh tribe of Arab and etc. We the Christians of Pakistan are keeping our eyes on the international community and organisations like United Nations and Commonwealth to promote us because no one is helping us. Real Two Nation theory applies here in Pakistan, we want our separate homeland where we will be able to preach and practice our religion freely and openly. My article should not be made as a base of a separate homeland for Muslims living in USA or Europe because they have in migrated here from Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and other Muslim countries but we are the indigenous people of subcontinent and we have the right to demand for our own homeland but Muslims of USA and Europe doesn’t. Also Muslims in Europe and USA are enjoying freedom and equal rights but on the other hand Christians of Pakistan are suffering torture, discrimination and extinction. It is our right for a separate Christian homeland in Pakistan.

This article is published by Peace Worldwide

Hector Aleem shares his personal experience in jail

ADIALA PRISON PAKISTAN’S VERY OWN ABU GHARIB – GUANTANAMO

I am sharing some important facts of Adiala Prison which is the model jail of Pakistan and is famous for its civilized condition, if this is the condition of civilized prison than you can imagine the condition of other prisons of Pakistan. This is only what I have seen during four years of my illegal detention for false accusations, what happened to me will be written in my next article.

Superintendent and deputy superintendent of Jail gathered all the Christian prisoners and in no uncertain terms ordered them to refrain from any religious activities including prayer sessions. The Christian prisoners, some of them having under graduate - post graduate academic qualifications were assigned janitorial duties simply because they were Christians. Those resisting such orders were warned of harsh punishment in the form of routine beating, torture and other inhumane acts if they did not toe the line. Those Christian prisoners that disobey such orders are beaten till they succumb to their injuries, The Above mentioned officials of Adiala Jail conveniently labeling such death in custody as‘Suicides’. In the absence of post mortem, how can it be determined whether the prisoner died a natural or injury inflicted death. Simply they ordered Christians to perform the dirty duty like toilet washing and gutter cleaning due to their faith.

Other Christian prisoners who are in fear cooperate with these officials by doing janitorial duties are not provided adequate safety equipment. The concept of gloves and proper footwear is alien to our comprehension. Such prisoners develop various skin related diseases eventually succumbing to their injuries without any compensation from the authorities.

The penal system was introduced by the civilized world to rehabilitate those who committed crimes. Prisons serve as a useful deterrent to crime as well as confining hardened criminals for extended periods of time thereby ensuring non repetition of crimes as well as ensuring the safety of law abiding citizens.

Undoubtedly criminals who do the crime must do the time; it is the period of detention as well as the quality of life of prisoners that differs worldwide. In developed nations, prisons are well managed by professionals who respect the fundamental rights of each prisoner. Prisoners are human being and have to be properly cared for during the entire period of their incarceration. First and foremost it is vital that prisoners are adequately fed and clothed. Religious freedom and visitation rights must be respected. If prisoners show keen interest in pursuing further education, the authorities must oblige. A reformed prisoner will be better able to re-adjust into society after serving his time. In developing countries however, prisons are misused for a variety of purposes. Innocent people are falsely accused by politicians, bureaucrats and law enforcement agencies of crimes they did not commit. It is such gross human rights violations that we like to highlight. The prison in question this time is not Abu Gharib orGuantanamo but our own Adiala Prison.

Adiala prison is located in Rawalpindi. It was originally designed to house inmates but now has more than five times that number. Cramped quarters, unhygienic living conditions, unpalatable food, inadequate healthcare facilities, absence of educational inducement, denial of religious freedom, routine torture, regular gang rape and sodomy both by wardens and hardened criminals, denial of visitation rights, confiscation of gifts and food from well-wishers are

Adiala has seen many wardens over the decades. Interestingly enough each new warden brazenly flouts the law more than his predecessor. Either the government has a special training camp where senior law enforcement officials receive training on how to excel in human rights violations or these wardens are chosen from a huge list of renowned sadists. According to my experience, even President and Prime Minister of Pakistan ignore any complaints against atrocious conditions in Adiala and prefer to ignore any plea. It seems the more complains direr the situation gets. Perhaps it’s the governments’ way of reminding that they are not prepared to except any criticism of their head handed tactics.     

Christian prisoners who dare to air their grievances to the concerned authorities or for that matter human rights organizations or NGO’s face severe punishment from wardens who simply cannot tolerate whistle blowers. Just who do these prisoners turn to, to redress their grievances? Knowing the docile characteristics of Christians, wardens deliberately inflict more inhumane punishment on Christians simply to satisfy their ego as well as earn promotion for a job well done.

The Pakistan government and Pakistani electronic and print media is quick to point out the harsh treatment to prisoners in far away places like Abu Gharib or Guantanamo but prefer to close both eyes at the atrocities that occur in prisons within their own domain. The government fails to take into account that prisoners serving time in Abu Gharib or Guantanamo are war criminals or terrorists who have committed crimes against humanity and are meted out exemplary punishment, but the Christian prisoners here in Pakistan are neither terrorist nor war criminals and have never committed crimes against humanity in the name of religion or for that matter any other warped ideology. Christian prisoners are largely in prisons for minor crimes. Moreover these Christian prisoners are Pakistani citizens and deserve equal treatment as enshrined in the Constitution.

Access to prisoners to conduct proper investigation into their allegations is rare to say the least. The prison authorities will prevent outsiders from mingling with prisoners, least their deceptive and atrocious behavior will surface. Peace Worldwide want an immediate reinstatement of religious worship and regular prayer for Christians. Moreover all janitorial duties must be equally shared by all prisoners irrespective of their religious background. After all Muslim prisoners (who are in larger numbers in Adiala prison) are equally responsible for creating an unhygienic environment, so they are just as responsible for the clean up process.

Also, an access to hospital should be given to all those Christian prisoners who have suffered injuries due to the barbaric acts of prison authorities. We would also like to see all Christian prisoners provided proper healthcare facilities and are not subjected to further physical torture. An independent body should be created to oversee any human rights violations that occur in prisons all overPakistan. Prison Wardens and other officials must either be suspended or removed from service when they are found guilty of human rights violations. These same officials must serve time in the very prison they committed these violations. International organisations should be allowed to meet regularly with all prisoners especially Christian prisoners, to better understand first-hand the situation that currently exists in Adiala Prison.  Though it is difficult for them to let these organisations visit and point out the human rights violation in the prison but if somehow any international organisation visits, they make them visit the dummy places which are free of violation and any inhumane activity and give them EVERYTHING IS OKAY report.

Enough is enough. Christians are fed up with the discriminatory, despicable and unwarranted behavior of the Pakistani government, the law enforcement agencies as well as the Muslim masses of Pakistan. Up until now Christians have been quiet on all fronts preferring to maintain the status quo but such inaction has further deteriorated the basic rights of all Christians in Pakistan.

Pakistan now enjoys a front seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council. Exposing their dirty laundry on the international forum will certainly infuriate their politicians and will only further confirm Pakistan status as a nation of ‘Hypocrites’. We warn government of Pakistan to correct them and follow the right path and do what is written in the jail manual and what they show to the international organisations.

Is Pakistan prepared to live with such demeaning expletive? Will ‘Enlightened Moderation’ be further strengthened or weakened by continuous human rights violations that occur regularly in Pakistan. The time has come for the Pakistani Government as well as the people of Pakistan to embrace ‘One Nation – One People’ culture which is far more difficult for both the government of Pakistan, ISI and other agencies to digest. Christians will not any longer tolerate erosion in their birth rights and demand equal status as Citizens of Pakistan. Peace Worldwide want religious freedom for Christians of Pakistan and the right to practice their religion without continuous interference from Islamists and Government of Pakistan. We also want appropriate punishment for Muslims for similar crimes that Christians unnecessarily are incarcerated for. The socio-economic picture should register an overall improvement benefiting all Pakistani citizens, not just Muslims.

We strongly urge the Government of Pakistan as well as International Human Rights organizations to help improvePakistan’s poor human rights record. Religious extremism and racial vilification must be uprooted immediately. Senior government officials must refrain from personal prejudices while discharging their duties. Pakistan has very bad reputation. Christians would like to cooperate with the government and the people in improving the socio-economic situation, but more effort from government of Pakistan is required to achieve this objective.

Hector Aleem

Chairman

Peace Worldwide