With the growing wave of violence against Christians in India and Pakistan, the Catholic Bishops of Kerala in India have chosen to ask the UN to intervene.
Newsroom (05/09/2023 15:00, Gaudium Press) The Council of Catholic Bishops of the Kerala region in India has decided to call on the United Nations to intervene to protect Christians in India and Pakistan.
In Punjab, Pakistan, more than 80 attacks on churches and Christian homes have been recorded in recent weeks. These attacks occurred after unfounded accusations, of desecration of the Koran, had been made against Christians.
Violence against Christians is also on the rise in the Indian region of Manipur. According to data from the Christian Post newspaper, around 200 people have lost their lives due to the violence, and another 50,000 have had to leave their homes in the last three months. The main victims have been Christians from the Kuki-Zo ethnic group. Hindu extremists from the Meitei community have set fire to churches, Christian institutions, schools and homes.
In its statement to the UN, the Council of Indian Bishops emphasized that Christians are the target of persecution and attacks in both countries. In the first half of 2023, India recorded 400 such incidents against Christians.
Most of these incidents are related to the “anti-conversion law” in force in some Indian states. In fact, the mere allegation that someone is involved in conversions is enough to incriminate them under the law. The lack of action and impartiality on the part of the Indian authorities contributes to the increase in false accusations.
Something similar happens in Pakistan with the blasphemy law, which is often misused for personal vendettas. Since 1987, a total of 2,000 people have been accused, and 88 have died as a result of these accusations. (FM)
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Compiled by Florence MacDonald
