Gender: Male

Current Location: Sialkot District Jail

Perpetrator: Pakistan

Religion or Belief: Christian – Unspecified/Other

Health Concerns: Bipolar disorder

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: Yes

Date of Detainment: March//2019

Date of Release: June/10/2022

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Blasphemy (General) Blasphemy (Religious Figures)

Nature of Charges: Blasphemy

Stephen Masih

Extra Bio Info:

Stephen Masih was detained for blasphemy.

In March 2019, authorities arrested Masih after he was accused of insulting the Prophet Muhammad.  According to reports, the accusation stemmed from a dispute Masih had with a neighbor.  Following the accusation, a mob gathered outside of his home, attacked him, and set the home on fire. 

In June 2019, Masih was formally charged with "insulting the Prophet Muhammad" (Sec. 295-C PPC) three months after his arrest. 

In October 2021, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights called for Masih's release. 

There are concerns Masih faces threats of violence in prison.  Likewise, prison authorities have reportedly not provided him with adequate medical care. He suffers from a mental disability. 

On May 31, 2022, Masih was granted bail.

On June 10, 2022, Masih was reportedly released from prison. 

Publicly Available Information:

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Pakistan

Religion or Belief: Christian – Unspecified/Other

Health Concerns: Mental disability

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Date of Detainment: August/12/2017

Date of Release: January//2020

Current Status: Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Detainment

Reason for Persecution: Blasphemy (General) Blasphemy (Religious Texts) Children’s Rights

Nature of Charges: Blasphemy

Asif Stephen

Extra Bio Info:

Asif Stephen was detained for blasphemy. 

On August 12, 2017, authorities arrested Stephen - a minor at the time - after he was accused of burning pages of the Qur'an.  A mob reportedly attacked Stephen and forced him to confess.  He was charged with "desecrating the Qur'an" (Sec. 295-B PPC).

In January 2020, Stephen was released on bail.

Stephen reportedly suffers from a mental disability. 

Publicly Available Information:

Gender: Male

Perpetrator: Pakistan

Religion or Belief: Christian – Catholic

Reports of Torture: No

Reports of Medical Neglect: No

Sentence: Death

Date of Detainment: July/14/2017

Date of Sentencing: November/22/2022

Current Status: Not Released

Religious Leader: No

Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment

Reason for Persecution: Blasphemy (General) Blasphemy (Religious Figures) Children’s Rights

Nature of Charges: Blasphemy

Shehzad Masih

Extra Bio Info:

Shehzad Masih is imprisoned and sentenced to death for alleged blasphemy.

In July 2017, authorities arrested 16-year-old Masih after a coworker and another individual accused him of insulting Islam. Authorities charged with "insulting the Prophet Muhammad" (Sec. 295-C PPC).

In November 2022, a court sentenced Masih to death.

Publicly Available Information:
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