Nov 16, 2021
The United Nations marks November 16 each year as the International Day for Tolerance. Religious tolerance is one key component of tolerance overall. Governments in the Middle East have increasingly espoused a doctrine of religious tolerance, especially after September 11, 2001. Along the same lines, the U.S. government has encouraged greater tolerance abroad as an antidote to extremism, especially violent extremism. Many countries in the Middle East showcase their churches, synagogues, and mosques as evidence of tolerance. The recently signed Abraham Accords have also reignited the conversation on religious tolerance.
USCIRF Supervisory Policy Analyst Scott Weiner joins us today to discuss the potential pitfalls of promoting religious tolerance rather than freedom of religion or belief as defined in the international human rights standards. He also discusses the difference between the two, and how the U.S. government can support religious tolerance in a way that most effectively advances the national interest in promoting religious freedom.
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Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Pakistan
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Ahmadiyya
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Appeal: Death Sentence Overturned
Sentence: Originally Death + 10 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: July/18/2014
Date of Sentencing: October/11/2017
Date of Release: January/14/2022
Current Status: Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Blasphemy (General) Blasphemy (Other) Blasphemy (Religious Figures)
Nature of Charges: Blasphemy Hate Speech
Ghulam Ahmad
Extra Bio Info:
Ghulam Ahmad was imprisoned and sentenced to death for blasphemy-related offenses.
On May 13, 2014, authorities arrested Ahmad alongside three others after they were accused of tearing down posters containing religious content in Bhoiwal. The police report filed against them in March 2014 alleged that they had violated Penal Code Sections 295-A, 337-2, and 427. Police later released Ahmad after Khalil Ahmad, who was arrested with Ahmad, was killed in police custody.
On July 18, 2014, Ahmad was arrested again.
In March 2015, "insulting the Prophet Muhammad" (Sec. 295-C PPC) was added to Ahmad's charge sheet.
On October 11, 2017, Ahmad was sentenced to death.
On December 8, 2021, the Lahore High Court acquitted Ahmad of "insulting the Prophet Muhammad" (Sec. 295-C PPC). Nevertheless, Ahmad remained sentenced to ten years in prison on the charge of "intending to outrage religious feelings" (Sec. 295-A PPC).
On January 14, 2022, Ahmad was released from prison after completing his sentence.
Related Cases: Mubashar Ahmad, Ehsan Ahmad
Publicly Available Information:
Gender: Male
Perpetrator: Tajikistan
Ethnic Group: Tajik
Religion or Belief: Muslim – Sunni
Reports of Torture: No
Reports of Medical Neglect: No
Sentence: 5 Years' Imprisonment
Date of Detainment: March/5/2021
Date of Sentencing: June/4/2021
Current Status: Not Released
Religious Leader: No
Most Recent Type of Abuse: Imprisonment
Reason for Persecution: Giving, Sharing, & Listening to a Religious Speech Religious Activity
Nature of Charges: Unknown
Aslamkhon Karimov
Extra Bio Info:
Aslamkhon Karimov is imprisoned for his religious activity.
In March 2021, authorities arrested Karimov after an imam at his mosque refused to give a state-provided sermon.
In June 2021, authorities sentenced Karimov to 5 years' imprisonment. While the official charges were unclear, one judge had accused him and two others of "acting together and participating in an extremist religious organization."