Alert

Pakistan - No. 19/2009

Violence against Christian minority in Gojra City, Punjab Province

Geneva, 04 August 2009

Description of the emergency and its impact

Violence erupted between Muslim and Christian communities in Gojra City in Punjab Province, Pakistan, following rumours of the desecration of the Holy Quran on Thursday last week. In two days of violence that followed, a mob attacked a Christian community and torched 47 houses. On Saturday 01 August, another 100 houses from a Christian colony in Gojra City was torched, according to an assessment by ACT member Church World Service- Pakistan/Afghanistan's partner in the area, the Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS). Seven deaths have been reported, including 4 women, a child and two men.

According to CWS, data on the impact and number of burned houses being released by the media is under-stating the situation compared to information provided by CLAAS who are working in the area. Local officials, including District Police Officer and District Coordination Officer, are amongst those accused of negligence for the incidents that occurred according to Minorities minister Shahbaz Bhatti (Reuters). Gojra city police have arrested more than 65 people for their alleged involvement in the violence. Security has been increased to maintain order in the city while the situation remains tense.

National and international response

Assistance to Christian families affected is trickling in very slowly, in a country where Christians are a small minority comprising only 1.6% of the total population. Staff members of CLAAS have been in the affected area for three days to express solidarity with the affected families and to assess the situation.

Caritas Faisalabad along with the National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP), and the Society for Human Development Pakistan have also conducted assessments. Caritas shared that they are today (August 4th) distributing food items to affected families. Through individual donations, one hundred beds and bedding have also been provided to affected families.

ACT Response- Planned activities

CWS report the urgent need to provide immediate assistance such as food and non food items (kitchen sets and hygiene kits) to the affected families and intend to send a request to the ACT Coordinating Office for Rapid Response Funding today for provision of assistance to around 294 families who were residing in 147 houses that were damaged. Other ACT members in Pakistan are not planning any immediate relief activities in the area.

Any funding indication or pledge should be communicated to Jessie Kgoroeadira, ACT Finance Officer (jkg@act-intl.org).

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ACT is a global alliance of churches and related agencies working to save lives and support communities in emergencies worldwide. The ACT Coordinating Office is based with the World Council of Churches (WCC) and The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Switzerland.