In Islamabad, Pakistan, human rights activists are urging the government to form an independent commission to help release children involved in blasphemy cases. This demand was made by lawyers Usman Warraich, Rana Abdul Hameed, Iman Mazari, and parents of affected children at a press conference at the National Press Club.
Lawyer Usman Warraich highlighted a troubling trend from a Special Branch report. It revealed that a religious extremist group is tricking young Muslim boys and girls into sharing blasphemous content online. Over 450 youths have been falsely accused, with many detained in various jails across Pakistan.
The group targets young people on social media, posing as friends or romantic interests to manipulate them into sharing sensitive content. Victims are lured to a "Safe House" in Islamabad, where they face brutal physical torture, including being hung upside down and beaten.
The group's network reportedly includes 25 to 30 individuals who falsely accuse more than 20 youths each. They use fake addresses in legal documents to avoid accountability, complicating efforts to trace their activities.
Lawyers and parents are demanding immediate action, including halting legal proceedings until an independent commission is established and the release of minors caught in these false accusations. Blasphemy laws in Pakistan are often misused, affecting vulnerable groups.
Blasphemy is when someone shows disrespect or says something bad about religious beliefs or sacred things. In some countries, it is considered a very serious crime.
An independent investigation means a group of people who are not connected to the government or any other organization will look into the matter to find out the truth. This is done to ensure fairness and avoid bias.
Human rights activists are people who work to protect and promote the basic rights and freedoms that every person should have, like the right to live freely and safely.
A religious extremist group is a group of people who have very strong and strict beliefs about their religion and sometimes use violence or threats to make others follow their beliefs.
Social media are online platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter where people can share information, photos, and videos with others.
Torture is when someone is hurt very badly on purpose, often to make them say or do something. It is a very serious violation of human rights.
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