Justice for Shahzad and Shama Masih

On November 4, 2014, a mob tortured, killed and burned Shahzad and Shama Masih, a poor Christian couple working as bonded laborers at a brick kiln in Pakistan. Shahzad and Shama were in their mid-twenties and had 4 children. Shama was 5 months pregnant when she was killed.

Their only fault was a dispute with the brick kiln owner, over money they had borrowed from him. The owner and his staff locked up the couple in a room and accused them of burning pages of the Quran. According to Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, desecrating the Quran can be punished by the death penalty only after proven guilty in a court of law. However, these laws are frequently used to harass Christian and other religious minorities in Pakistan to settle personal disputes.

As the word of burning of the Quran spread, hundreds gathered at the brick kiln. Village clerics made public announcements on the loudspeaker to incite the mob. The mob tore down the roof to get Shahzad and Shama. They were severely beaten with sticks, rods and bricks. Both Shahzad and Shama died at the scene. Their bodies were thrown into the brick kiln where they worked.

We strongly condemn the murder of Shahzad and Shama Masih. We want justice for Shahzad and Shama and repeal of repressive blasphemy law (PPC Section 295-C) in Pakistan.