The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed concerns over 'incitement of violence and blasphemy allegations' against rights activist Marvi Sirmed, urging the government to provide her 'with all possible security measures'.
In a couple of the tweets, the human rights watchdog said: " HRCP is alarmed over the incitement to wanton violence and charges of blasphemy against @marvisirmed -- an HRCP Council member and committed human rights defender."
"The vitriol unleashed against her for a satirical tweet shows how the blasphemy laws continue to be misused to intimidate and silence, violating people’s right to security and freedom of expression," it added, urging the government to 'take serious note of the incident and bring an end to such online threats and harassment'.
Sirmed is a target of a hateful social media campaign for making a sarcastic comment about the state’s practice of enforced disappearances in Balochistan. In a post shared on Twitter, she had said: "Mullah told Jesus Christ didn't die, he was picked up by God. A simpleton asked: Was Jesus a Baloch?"
Amnesty International also showed fear for her safety. “Sirmed has previously been subjected to severe vitriol online and a blasphemy accusation will only embolden trolls in cyberspace. A threat to her physical safety cannot be discounted,” said Amnesty's David Griffiths.
In a couple of the tweets, the human rights watchdog said: " HRCP is alarmed over the incitement to wanton violence and charges of blasphemy against @marvisirmed -- an HRCP Council member and committed human rights defender."
HRCP is alarmed over the incitement to wanton violence and charges of blasphemy against @marvisirmed - an HRCP Council member and committed human rights defender. The vitriol unleashed against her for a satirical tweet shows how the blasphemy laws continue to be misused... 1/2
— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) August 27, 2020
"The vitriol unleashed against her for a satirical tweet shows how the blasphemy laws continue to be misused to intimidate and silence, violating people’s right to security and freedom of expression," it added, urging the government to 'take serious note of the incident and bring an end to such online threats and harassment'.
Sirmed is a target of a hateful social media campaign for making a sarcastic comment about the state’s practice of enforced disappearances in Balochistan. In a post shared on Twitter, she had said: "Mullah told Jesus Christ didn't die, he was picked up by God. A simpleton asked: Was Jesus a Baloch?"
مولوی صاحب نے بتایا حضرت عیسیٰ فوت نہیں ہوئے اُٹھا لئے گئے ہیں-
ایک سادہ مقتدی نے پوچھا
"کیا حضرت عیسیٰ بھی بلوچ تھے؟"
(منقول)
— Marvi Sirmed (@marvisirmed) August 22, 2020
Amnesty International also showed fear for her safety. “Sirmed has previously been subjected to severe vitriol online and a blasphemy accusation will only embolden trolls in cyberspace. A threat to her physical safety cannot be discounted,” said Amnesty's David Griffiths.