Event: ‘Ending Extrajudicial Violence Resulting From Apostasy and Blasphemy Laws’
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): The Good Men Project
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2024/10/24
Aysha Khan is the Director of Operations for Ex-Muslims of North America (EXMNA). Join us in hearing stories from advocates, activists and first hand witnesses to extrajudicial violence resulting from apostasy and blasphemy charges. Our aim is to bring attention to these egregious human rights violations and urge UN member states to work towards preventing future violence driven by an intolerance for freedom of conscience, religion and belief.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen: We have an event organized by Ex-Muslims of North America titled “Ending Extrajudicial Violence Resulting from Apostasy and Blasphemy Laws.” It discusses ways to stop unjust violence against individuals or groups accused of apostasy or blasphemy.
Adding my perspective here, apostasy and blasphemy are imaginary crimes. This is not a new thought, but the fact that they are claims about a god or assume a god means they should only affect those who believe. They should not apply to those who do not believe. Otherwise, it’s not a proper secular system but rather a violation of freedom of religion, belief, and conscience based on a religious claim. What is the most important part of holding this event?
Aysha Khan: It is crucial to emphasize that anti-blasphemy and anti-apostasy laws do not discriminate. They affect people of all faith backgrounds and those with no faith background. First, I want to note that Ex-Muslims of North America are hosting this event in collaboration with the American Humanist Association, Jubilee Campaign, and Set My People Free. We have a broad coalition of organizations and individuals represented on the panel. This includes practicing Christians, practicing Muslims, humanists, atheists, civil society representatives, and individuals who work directly with U.S. government agencies. We are proud of the panel we’ve assembled, and we hope not only to draw attention from UN member states to these gut-wrenching stories but also to highlight how these laws create an environment of impunity.
These laws encourage vigilante violence. A country may have a law criminalizing or penalizing religious dissidents but may not enforce that law. Yet, it may turn a blind eye to people taking matters into their own hands against those accused. These laws are often not used against people accused of blasphemy against a particular faith. Instead, they are frequently used to settle personal or political grievances.
This event aims to highlight the injustice of these laws and their mere existence and humanize the stories of those affected.
Jacobsen: We now have six key speakers for this event:
- Nadine Maenza, President of International Religious Freedom Secretariat
- Kola Alapinni, International Human Rights Lawyer from Nigeria (virtual)
- Mashal Naseem, Family member of EJE victim killed in Pakistan
- Joseph Jansen, Human Rights Defender from Pakistan
- Gulalai Ismail, Human Rights Activist from Pakistan
- Nasar Ahmad, Founder of “Repeal the Second” from Pakistan
What do each of these speakers bring in terms of experience, expertise, and personal stories?
Khan: One of the speakers is Nadine Maenza, President of the International Religious Freedom Secretariat. She represents several organizations that advocate for freedom of religion and belief. She has vast experience navigating these spaces, convening influential individuals from the U.S. government, intergovernmental agencies, and civil society. We also have speakers who have had family members imprisoned on blasphemy charges, others who have lost family members to vigilante violence following blasphemy accusations, and individuals who have been forced to seek asylum abroad after being accused and hunted—not only by their home governments but also by religious extremists. The speakers’ experiences span a broad spectrum of persecution, whether they were rightfully or wrongfully accused.
But what it does is it creates a chilling effect on any vocalizing of a difference of opinion on religion. So, we’re trying to highlight how unfair these laws are, even for those who practice the religion that is supposedly being insulted.
Jacobsen: What about individuals who are non-Muslim, or not even ex-Muslim, but have an interest in these stories and the understanding of blasphemy laws being imposed on others beyond those who stand against a state-endorsed version of Islam? What should appeal to them as well?
Khan: I come to this cultural and ethical understanding: no one is safe from these accusations when these laws are on the books. It does not matter whether you are a member of that religion. These laws are so subjective. Even the concept of an insult or offence is subjective.
What I might find offensive is not what you might find offensive, and it depends on how someone is feeling that day, how vengeful, upset, or tolerant they are. It does not matter who you are, your origin, or your religion. These laws are unfair and are not applied equally across the board.
Jacobsen: Where is the event going to be hosted?
Khan: It is scheduled for the 29th of October at 1 PM at the UN Church Center, which is close to the UN headquarters. It’s a free event. Registration is required through our Eventbrite link, and we look forward to a lively discussion after each speaker’s remarks. The event will last about an hour, and we purposely scheduled it around lunchtime, so if you can pop in and out, that would be great. We’re excited about the broad coalition of sponsors and speakers.
Jacobsen: Are there other ex-Muslim organizations taking part in this?
Khan: They are not, but we are trying to ensure they know this event is taking place. Please reach out if any ex-Muslim organizations in or around the area are interested in cosponsoring or helping with outreach.
Jacobsen: Right. Thank you for your time today.
Khan: Yeah, no problem. Thank you.
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