Campaigning for the Release of Dr Shaikh

IHEU is proud to have been able to play the lead role in the campaign to secure the release of our colleague Dr Younus Shaikh. Dr Shaikh had been languishing in prison in Pakistan for over three years, most of that time on Death Row. He was arrested on trumped-up charges of blasphemy on 4 October 2000, tried, and sentenced to death in August 2001. He appealed, but the appeal court judges failed to agree on the verdict. In October 2003, a third Appeal Court judge annulled the death sentence but sent the case back to the lower court for retrial. Younus Shaikh was finally acquitted and released on 21 November 2003. Following his release he spent some time in great secrecy visiting family and friends in Pakistan before moving to a new home in the west.

IHEU became aware of Dr Shaikh’s arrest the day it happened. We immediately launched a worldwide campaign to try to secure his release. Demonstrations were organized outside the Pakistani Embassies in London, Washington, and several other western capitals. An intensive letter-writing and email campaign was initiated through over 100 organizations, both IHEU members and kindred groups. A concerted diplomatic effort was mounted, involving contact with government officials in over 20 countries, and a face-to-face meeting with Pakistan’s President Musharraf, to bring pressure to bear on the Pakistani government.

We maintained constant communication with Dr Shaikh throughout his ordeal by means of letters and through jail visits by colleagues. Everyone concerned was deeply impressed by the remarkable courage he displayed. His letters, dealing not only with his personal situation but with political issues and world affairs generally, were models of lucidity. It was hard to imagine them being penned in a cramped, fetid cell in Death Row in temperatures sometimes reaching 46˚C.

IHEU spent over three years drawing the world’s attention to Dr Shaikh’s case, and coordinated with the Sea of Faith and Amnesty International. We must particularly mention the tireless efforts of our Executive Director, Babu Gogineni, whose energy, drive, and determination for the cause never flagged. But finally, it is our colleagues in Pakistan (who for security reasons will remain unnamed) and Dr Shaikh’s lawyers, who are the real heroes – taking immense personal risks to uphold the principles of civilized society and the rights of an innocent and courageous man.