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Pakistan Urged to Free Academic Junaid Hafeez After 13-Year Blasphemy Ordeal

Human Rights Watch has called on Pakistani authorities to overturn the blasphemy conviction and death sentence of academic Junaid Hafeez, imprisoned since 2013. His trial faced severe delays, was held in a high-security prison, and his defense lawyer was murdered for taking the case. The organization states the blasphemy laws are widely misused to target minorities and settle personal scores, with accused individuals facing unfair trials and harsh punishments. While the government announced procedural safeguards in 2025, HRW says quashing Hafeez's conviction would demonstrate a genuine commitment to reform.

Key Points: HRW Urges Pakistan to Quash Blasphemy Case of Junaid Hafeez

  • Death sentence for Facebook posts
  • 13 years in prison, long solitary
  • Defence lawyer murdered in 2014
  • Laws misuse targets minorities
  • Gov't announced 2025 safeguards
2 min read

Human Rights Watch urges Pakistan to quash longstanding blasphemy case of academic Junaid Hafeez

Human Rights Watch calls for Pakistan to release academic Junaid Hafeez, imprisoned for 13 years on blasphemy charges, citing unfair trial and rights abuses.

"Junaid Hafeez's case is emblematic of the unjust and abusive nature of Pakistan's blasphemy laws. - Elaine Pearson, HRW"

New York, February 27

Human Rights Watch has called on Pakistani authorities to quash the decades-long blasphemy conviction of academic Junaid Hafeez, who has been held in prison for 13 years under the country's strict blasphemy laws, highlighting serious concerns about due process and human rights violations.

According to a release by the HRW, Hafeez, then in his 20s, was arrested on March 13, 2013, in Pakistan's Punjab province for allegedly posting blasphemous comments on Facebook. In December 2019, a court in Multan sentenced him to death after a trial repeatedly delayed over several years and conducted inside a high-security prison due to fears of mob violence.

His appeal is still pending, and he has been in solitary confinement since June 2014.

"Junaid Hafeez's case is emblematic of the unjust and abusive nature of Pakistan's blasphemy laws," said Elaine Pearson, Asia Director at Human Rights Watch. "The authorities should quash Hafeez's conviction and safely release him and others held under the blasphemy laws."

Under Pakistan's penal code, section 295-C and related provisions carry a de facto mandatory death sentence.

Although no executions have been reported, several people remain on death row, and dozens serve life sentences. Hundreds have faced charges under the law over the past three decades, the HRW stated.

Human Rights Watch highlighted that long delays in trials, prolonged solitary confinement, and lack of access to legal representation constitute cruel and inhuman treatment.

In 2014, Hafeez's defence lawyer, Rashid Rehman, was fatally shot by unidentified gunmen after facing threats for representing Hafeez.

The organisation said Pakistan's blasphemy laws are often misused to target religious minorities, settle personal disputes, extort, or punish social media activity.

Authorities rarely hold perpetrators of mob violence accountable, while those accused under the law face prolonged pretrial detention, unfair trials, and harsh prison terms.

In October 2025, the Pakistani government announced plans to introduce procedural safeguards to the blasphemy laws.

Human Rights Watch said implementing these safeguards and safely releasing detainees like Hafeez would signal a serious intent to reform.

"In recent months, the government has made progress in addressing some of the injustices of the country's blasphemy laws," Pearson added. "Hafeez's case is an opportunity to demonstrate real intent and seriousness toward reform."

- ANI

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Reader Comments

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Sarah B
As an outsider looking in, the complete lack of due process is shocking. A trial delayed for years, held inside a prison due to mob fears? That's not a legal system, that's intimidation. HRW is right to call this out. Reforming these laws is a basic human rights imperative.
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Vikram M
While the case is tragic, we must be careful about external pressure. Every country has its own legal and social framework. That said, the murder of the defence lawyer is an absolute travesty. No justice system can function if officers of the court are not safe. The focus should be on ensuring a fair appeal process now.
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Priya S
It's a grim reminder of how laws can be misused to crush dissent and target minorities. We see similar patterns globally where powerful tools are used to silence critics. Hope the proposed safeguards are implemented genuinely and not just for show. A man's entire youth is gone.
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Rohit P
The mention of mob violence is key. When the state is afraid of mobs and holds trials in prisons, it has already surrendered its authority. This isn't just about one academic; it's about the rule of law. Pakistan's announced reforms need to be followed by concrete action, starting with Hafeez's release.
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Kavya N
Solitary confinement since 2014? That's inhumane by any standard. Regardless of the charges, such treatment is a punishment in itself. The world often talks about human rights violations in many countries, but cases like these happening to our neighbour's citizens should make us reflect on our own region's standards of justice.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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