blasphemy laws
Pakistan man exonerated after serving 9 years for blasphemy
By Cathy Lynn Grossman — December 31, 2017
(AP) Blasphemy laws are a life-or-death issue in Pakistan's conservative society, with harsh prison sentences or execution for lawbreakers.
Atheist sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia
By Kimberly Winston — April 26, 2017
(RNS) Ahmad Al-Shamri lost two appeals after being charged with atheism and blasphemy, both punishable by death.
Pakistan threatens to ‘punish’ Facebook, other firms over blasphemy
By Reuters — March 23, 2017
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (Reuters) Pakistan's government wants social media networks to remove material deemed insulting to Islam or the Prophet Muhammad, and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif last week warned that those posting such content would be 'strictly punished.'
Malaysian rapper held over music video said to insult Islam
By Jerome Socolovsky — August 23, 2016
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- Malaysian authorities remanded a rapper in custody for four days on Monday over a music video he produced that allegedly insulted Islam.
Religious freedom seriously lacking for three-fourths of world’s population, ambassador says
By Adelle M. Banks — August 10, 2016
WASHINGTON (RNS) Almost a quarter of the world’s countries -- in which 74 percent of the world’s population lives -- have serious restrictions on religious freedom, said the ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom.
Pakistan hangs man who killed governor to defend blasphemy law
By Reuters — February 29, 2016
ISLAMABAD - The governor had called for reform of the law against insulting Islam. Street protests broke out by supporters of the killer, who consider him a hero for defending the faith.
8 banned books to celebrate Blasphemy Rights Day
By Brian Pellot — September 30, 2015
(RNS) The Bible and "Fifty Shades of Grey" share more than a few raunchy sex scenes. For Banned Books Week and International Blasphemy Rights Day (Sept. 30), these eight titles are still too hot to handle.
Pakistan’s blasphemy laws to require death sentence for false accusers
By Richard S. Ehrlich — September 24, 2013
(RNS) The Council on Islamic Ideology's demand to amend the blasphemy laws is being presented as a way to stop people from making false allegations or settling personal scores.
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