Joseph Janssen
Joseph Janssen | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Joseph October 15, 1986 Punjab, Pakistan |
| Occupation(s) | Human rights advocate, minority right activist[1][2] |
| Organization | Voice for Justice[3][4][5][6][7] (chairperson)[8][9] |
| Known for | Shafqat Emmanuel and Shagufta Kausar blasphemy case |
| Spouse |
Mirjam Bos (m. 2018) |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | Shabbaz Bhatti Award |
Joseph Janssen (born October 15, 1986) is a Pakistani minority rights activist,[10][11][12][13][14] recognized for his efforts in supporting persecuted Christians, particularly those accused of blasphemy, individuals trapped in debt slavery, and young girls subjected to forced marriages and exploitation.[15][16]
Family crisis and advocacy
[edit]In 2014, his sister, Shagufta Kausar, and her husband, Shafqat Emmanuel, were falsely accused of blasphemy, leading to their sentencing to death. The couple, who were illiterate[17] and unable to send the allegedly blasphemous text message, became the subject of a high-profile case. Joseph received threats from the police and overheard his brother-in-law being beaten.[18]
Fearing for his safety, Joseph sought asylum in Spain in 2014, where he joined the Neocatechumenal Way, a Catholic Christian movement focused on the spiritual formation of adults. From there, he began to advocate for his sister’s case and raise international awareness about the persecution of Christians in Pakistan. The case gained support from various Christian organizations and human rights defenders, including Pakistani lawyer Saif-Ul-Malook, who worked on their behalf.[19]
In April 2021, the European Parliament passed a motion condemning Pakistan for its failure to protect religious minorities, focusing on the case of Kausar and Emmanuel. On June 3, 2021, the Lahore High Court overturned their convictions due to a lack of evidence, and the couple was acquitted.[20] Following their acquittal, the couple was granted asylum in a European country due to safety concerns in Pakistan.[21][22]
Current work and recognition
[edit]Joseph and his wife are actively involved with the Jubilee Campaign,[23] a non-profit organization dedicated to defending the rights of persecuted Christians and promoting religious freedom worldwide.[24] In 2020, Joseph founded the non-profit organization Voice for Justice, which focuses on advocating for religious freedom and the protection of Christians, especially in Pakistan.[25][26][27]
Joseph remains a prominent advocate for religious freedom, with a particular emphasis on supporting individuals imprisoned due to their faith, those trapped in debt bondage, and young girls trapped into marriage or sex trafficking.[28][29]
In 2022, in collaboration with Voice for Justice and Jubilee Campaign, Joseph co-published the report titled "Conversion without Consent," documenting the abductions, forced conversions, and forced marriages of Christian girls and women in Pakistan.[30][31]
The same year, during an international conference on religious freedom in London, Joseph urged the government of Pakistan to abolish or reform its domestic laws on defamation and blasphemy to align with international human rights standards.[32][33][34]
In 2023, Joseph received the Shabbaz Bhatti Award in Kushpur, Pakistan, in recognition of his dedication to the mission of the late Shahbaz Bhatti, a prominent Pakistani politician and advocate for minority rights. Joseph continues to carry forward Bhatti's legacy, committing to be a voice for the voiceless and ensuring that the injustices his family faced are not repeated.[35]
In July 2023, Jansen condemned the rape of a seven-year-old Christian girl in Sahiwal, Pakistan. He stated that minority girls are disproportionately targeted due to systemic bias, alleging that police and officials in Pakistan often show partiality towards the majority community, which hinders justice for victims.[36]
In August 2023, Jansen, criticized the amendment to Section 298-A of the Pakistan Penal Code for increasing punishments, warning it could lead to misuse and fabricated accusations. He also condemned the inclusion of Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act with Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code, highlighting its potential to fuel mob justice and further endanger the accused, often under the influence of religio-political groups.[37][38]
See Also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "13th Anniversary of Shahbaz Bhatti's Assassination: Human Rights Advocates Call for Justice and an end to Impunity in Pakistan". Dispatch news Desk. 2 March 2024.
- ^ "Disappointment echoed after blasphemy accused sentenced to death". Dispatch news Desk. 2 June 2023.
- ^ Fides, Agenzia. "ASIA/PAKISTAN - Forced conversions: a bill is urgently needed to protect religious freedom - Agenzia Fides". www.fides.org.
- ^ "Pakistan: Rights Activists stress to curb forced conversion, underage marriages". ANI News.
- ^ "Islamabad tightens blasphemy laws". www.asianews.it.
- ^ "Christian widow in Pakpattan victim of blasphemy laws". www.asianews.it.
- ^ "Minority Rights Activists Visit Jaranwala". The Friday Times. 15 January 2024.
- ^ "Govt urged to enact law to stop forced faith conversions". Dispatch news Desk. 28 July 2022.
- ^ "Christian widow raped and murdered in Lahore for refusing to convert to Islam". Dispatch news Desk. 4 July 2023.
- ^ "Jaranwala Incident: Minority Rights Activists Laud SC For Rejecting Punjab Govt's Progress Report". The Friday Times. 13 February 2024.
- ^ "Minority Rights Activists Fiercely Denounce Jaranwala Incident". The Friday Times. 20 August 2023.
- ^ "Rashida's ordeal: ten years in chains in a forced marriage". www.asianews.it.
- ^ "Christian seriously wounded in Sarghoda in the latest blasphemy incident". www.asianews.it.
- ^ "Christian girl in Faisalabad reunited with family after kidnapping, forced conversion & marriage". Dispatch news Desk. 3 August 2024.
- ^ Ghosh, Subrata. "Human rights advocates discuss the need to ban Pakistan from Commonwealth for human rights abuse and blasphemy laws | Northeast Herald". neherald.com.
- ^ "Two sisters released after blasphemy charges (but still risk lynching)". www.asianews.it.
- ^ Zaimov, Stoyan; Reporter, Christian Post (8 April 2014). "Illiterate Christian Couple Sentenced to Death for Blasphemous Text Messages in Pakistan". www.christianpost.com.
- ^ "Acquitted Christian Couple, Attorney Fear for their Lives". Morningstar News. 15 June 2021.
- ^ "Pakistan 'blasphemy' death row couple's plea for freedom". BBC. 2 June 2020.
- ^ "Pakistan overturns Christian couple's blasphemy death sentences". BBC. 3 June 2021.
- ^ "Pakistan: "I spent eight years on death row after being falsely accused of blasphemy"". ACN International. 6 May 2022.
- ^ "European Parliamentarians express concern over coerced faith conversion targeting minority women in Pakistan". ANI News.
- ^ "Plight of Pakistan's Minorities: Forced Conversions and Child Marriages Rampant". Dispatch news Desk. 20 March 2024.
- ^ Campaign, Jubilee (24 July 2024). "Italian Parliamentarians and Activists Urge for Urgent Legislative Reform to Address Christian Persecution in Pakistan". Jubilee Campaign USA.
- ^ Prensa, A. C. I. "Defensor de derechos humanos pide a Occidente no olvidar a los cristianos perseguidos en Pakistán". ACI Prensa (in Spanish).
- ^ Reporter, The Newspaper's Staff (22 November 2022). "Concern over custodial torture in blasphemy cases". DAWN.COM.
- ^ "Minority Rights Activists Call For Measures To Prevent Misuse Of Blasphemy Laws". The Friday Times. 12 December 2023.
- ^ "UNGA78 Parallel Event: Protect the Girl Child". Coptic Solidarity. 18 October 2023.
- ^ "Italian Parliamentarians, activists urge action on Christian persecution in Pakistan". ANI News.
- ^ "UN Urges Pakistan to Curb Forced Religious Conversions, Child Marriage". Statecraft. 17 January 2023.
- ^ Reporter, The Newspaper's Staff (11 December 2022). "100 Christians faced faith conversion, child marriage in three years: report". DAWN.COM.
- ^ "Pakistan's blasphemy law comes under scrutiny at UK meet- UCA News". ucanews.com.
- ^ "Pak activists raise concern over custodial torture in blasphemy cases". ANI News.
- ^ Reporter, The Newspaper's Staff (12 August 2022). "Call to protect fundamental freedoms of the minorities". DAWN.COM.
- ^ "Minority Rights Activists Call For Effective Participation Of Minorities In Polls". The Friday Times. 16 January 2024.
- ^ "Horrific act of violence against underaged minority girl in Pakistan sparks outrage among rights activists". Dispatch news Desk. 30 July 2023.
- ^ "National Minorities Day: Civil Society urges govt to introduce policy reforms to protect minorities' rights". Dispatch news Desk. 11 August 2023.
- ^ "Rights activists express concerns over trial of blasphemy accused under anti-terrorism act". Dispatch news Desk. 20 June 2023.