“The Church did not get involved because ‘Sabir Masih is a Christian,'” and “anyone, ‘Muslim or any other religion,’ could have been in his place. At the heart of the matter is police brutality, which should be stopped regardless of religion.” However, “if a Christian is detained, he ‘usually is treated worse by police or when he is in prison.'”
But the world’s “human rights community” is too busy wringing its hands about “Islamophobia” to take any notice.
“Islamabad: an innocent 24-year-old Christian man tortured to death by police,” by Jibran Khan for Asia News, February 13 (thanks to C. Cantoni):
Islamabad (AsiaNews) – For police, Sabir Masih committed suicide by hanging himself. Medical reports show instead that he died from “severe internal injuries” caused by “torture and abuse.”
The 24-year old Pakistani Christian man died from the brutal treatment he received under police interrogation after he was arrested on unfounded charges of theft.
In order to extract a confession, the agents did not hesitate from using force, causing injuries that proved fatal.
The Catholic Church and members of civil society want justice, exemplary punishment for the perpetrators and an end to the violent deaths of ordinary citizens, innocent victims of so-called law enforcement officials.
A father of two, Sabir Masih was arrested on Tuesday on charges of theft. Police brought him to the Kohsar Police Station in Islamabad, considered a “model” facility after undergoing a major retrofit to improve its efficiency and humane treatment of prisoners.
Held overnight, the young man was interrogated at length. As soon as they found out that Sabir had been arrested, his family rushed to the police station to say that he was not involved in the theft since he had been at work for the whole day and had returned home after that.
“He did not commit any crime,” they shouted in a loud voice, in vain.
In order to get a confession, police used force – a common practice in Pakistan. This in turn caused severe internal injuries that led to Sabir’s death overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday.
After his death, officers tried to explain the signs of violence by claiming that the young man had committed suicide by hanging himself in cell.
In an attempt to cover up the matter, top police officials also ordered the family to bury him today. The latter however refused, demanding instead an autopsy.
Preliminary results confirm in fact that Sabir Masih died from internal injuries caused by abuse. Nothing indicates that he hanged himself.
An investigation has been launched into the case, but no action has yet been taken against those responsible.
Yesterday, the Catholic Church of Pakistan and civil society groups staged a protest in front of the Press Club of Islamabad, vociferously slamming police brutality.
For protesters, the incident clearly shows that reforms to make the police more democratic and law-abiding have failed.
The Church did not get involved because “Sabir Masih is a Christian,” Catholic sources in the capital said, but because anyone, “Muslim or any other religion,” could have been in his place. At the heart of the matter is police brutality, which should be stopped regardless of religion.
However, if a Christian is detained, he “usually is treated worse by police or when he is in prison,” a Catholic said.
With a population of more than 180 million people (97 per cent Muslim), Pakistan is the sixth most populous country in the world, the second largest Muslim nation after Indonesia.
About 80 per cent of Muslims are Sunni, whilst Shias are 20 per cent. Hindus are 1.85 per cent, followed by Christians (1.6 per cent) and Sikhs (0.04 per cent).
Violence against ethnic and religious minorities is commonplace across the country, with Shia Muslims and Christians as the main target, with things getting worse.
Scores of violent incidents have occurred in recent years, against both individuals – like Asia Bibi, Eimsha Masih or Robert Fanish Masih, a young man who died in prison – or entire communities, like in Gojra in 2009 or Joseph Colony in Lahore in March 2013, often perpetrated under the pretext of the country’s blasphemy laws.
Charli Main says
How can there be any justice for Sabir Masih ????
No crime has been committed according to the tenets of Islam and Sharia.
Its perfectly lawful for Pakistani Muslim policemen to kill Christians, Hindus and Sikhs.
In fact they are good Muslims obeying the commands of their “prophet” Mohammed—kill infidels wherever you find them.
Ray Lanfear says
Enough is enough. America, when up over 500,000 Muslim/Refugee/immigrants are being relocated to the United States. It’s time to turn back this trend. Did you vote for that? No one voted on this? For the real truth Google “TheProjectMuslimBrotherhood” it is their secret doctrine to destroy America from within. Guess what they are succeeding folks. One only has to look at England, Belgium, France, Germany, and the rest of Europe today, It is sad what Paris has become, mainly due to the Muslim immigration; take a good look at Europe and that is America in 25 years, unless something is done to prevent “theprojectmuslimbrotherhood” from making further inroads into America, our cities, schools, universities and textbooks and yes, even our own government. Multiculturalism is literally destroying Europe. You give them one inch and they will eventually erode our American culture. There are now over 700 “Islamic no go Muslim Zones” within England, France and Germany. Islam is not a religion but a political ideology; it is the antithesis of a free society. Take a look at Dearborn, Michigan,, Tennessee, New York, Indiana, S. Dakota, California and Colorado have so far most of the immigrants what State next? I have no problem with the “peaceful Muslim” that wants to integrate into our culture and follow our laws. The problem lies in that they want to dominate and force Islam and Sharia law upon us all. Awareness is the issue, put the word out folks, most families are just trying to survive and pay their bills, working two jobs, raising their children. They just don’t have the time to keep up with what is really taking place across America today and the mainstream news will not carry it due to political correctness. Just not acceptable here in America folks Stand up and be counted. “When good men and woman our quiet evil always wins” Forget about be labeled a racist, or being politically correct, multiculturalism is not good for America. Let them adapt to our culture, period Amen. Again for facts and truth Google “theprojectmuslimbrotherhood” speaks volumes on the intent to destroy us from within. Who will stop this “insanity” from becoming a reality in America? Jews, Christians, Priests and infidels are being slaughtered and Christian churches are being burned to the ground, enough is enough folks. Where is the condemnation of these acts from all the Muslims that are here? There are nearly 3 million here already yet you barely hear any of them condemn the atrocities. What you do will affect your children and grandchildren and future generations of America yet to come. Stand up and be counted to defeat this real threat upon America. Europe is losing the battle already, and America will be next.
JessieJames says
the only “peaceful muslim” is a dead muslim!
doni says
This barbaric mentality *must* be prosecuted by an international tribunal, since apparently muslim’s do not count *murder* as a sin, and a character flaw that makes one unfit to live with other civilized humans.
What are we going to do to stop this abusive, hateful, and in many cases, such as this one, *fatal* actions perpetrated by muslims…or by people “in the name of islam”? That cannot be allowed to be a legitimate defense, with no repercussions whatsoever….Can it?
That is exactly what is going on under Sharia and fundamentalist muslim Qur’an ‘laws’.
Those are old laws. Now murder, and maiming a person is no longer legal. When will Muslim’s get their fundamentalist zealots under control and stop this mindless hate that causes incurable scars.
Defcon 4 says
Where, exactly, is non-fundamentalist islam being practiced? Which muslime states don’t persecute the unbeliever or have enforced laws against blasphemy and heresy?
Champ says
allah tells muhammad to “fight against the disbelievers and the hypocrites and be harsh upon them; and their refuge is Hell, and wretched is the destination” (9:73).
The followers of muhammad should imitate him in this: “O you who have believed, fight those adjacent to you of the disbelievers and let them find in you harshness” (9:123). For “muhammad is the messenger of allah; and those with him are forceful against the disbelievers, merciful among themselves” (48:29).
doni says
This is what I’m talking about. You must put down the ancient laws, and follow the new laws made by humane individuals…Not written by tribal chiefs with the agenda of trying to rule the Muslim Empire.
The times for vicious retaliation, and bloodshed are done. We are educated, and we are able to study the issues. It is no longer necessary to “meet in an open field and shoot arrows from horseback”, or “stone people to death”….
Now we have new and better laws. They are still punished, they are not brutally murdered like a psychopath might cut someone up, as the Qur’an may have seemed to be dictating to some who translate it thusly…
My contention is…we have new laws, and we have ways of preventing criminals without butchering them, and making the butcher not much better than the criminal. There’s just something really creepy and wrong about someone who cuts off body parts.
Mohammad below has hit the nail on the head, this was a sketchy and not very savory character who…like so many “power mad” religious recruiters, made that special law that only *he* (Muhammad) as *God’s Personal Messenger* gets to have his way with as many ‘wives’ as he feels like. Yeah…Allah said that was cool.
Men are so transparent. lol I used to think that Islam pre-dated Christianity, now that it seems it came several centuries later, I can’t help but wonder “why”. What was the impetus of creating this ‘new, muslim based, teachings of Allah in the New Age (of the 7th Century)…Wasn’t the Bible started 70-100 years after Jesus’ death?
I’m a little off topic, I apologize, but, I am baffled why my family is so attached to this barely recognizable “Southern Baptist” religion, that has next to nothing to do with any of the real teachings of Christ, as written in Aramaic, and/or translated into is it Greek ‘koine’?
Mohammad says
7th century followers of the pedophile mass murdering psychopath prophet doing what they do best, spreading death and destruction. But those crazy right wing Christians are the real threat according to the liberals. I don’t know what’s worse the 7th century barbarians or the liberals who can’t get enough of the 7th century barbarians.
Charli Main says
Nice one , Mohammad.
JessieJames says
the dumbass 7th century barbarians and the dumbass liberals have something in common…………they are both dumbasses.
fair_dinkum says
pakistan is a feral, cruel, backwards state.
‘They are a little people. a silly people” (el orance)
the quote applies to all moslem countries.
Defcon 4 says
I would not want to be arrested in Dearbornistan, Michigan, I imagine Pakistaini law enforcement methods would be a preferred method of dealing w/the recalcitrant kaffir in Dearbornistan. Someone should really do an expose on what goes on in Dearbornistan’s “justice” system.
Defcon 4 says
I seem to remember, maybe 6 or 7 years ago, a Pakistani Christian preacher being arrested and charged w/blasphemy. When his wife and lawyer went to visit him in jail imagine their surprise when it was discovered he had disappeared from captivity, never to be seen again.
Hermit says
I wonder what The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has to say about this.