Pakistani girl accused of blasphemy flees to Canada
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 30 June 2013 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Pakistani girl accused of blasphemy flees to Canada, 30 June 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/51e79b7811.html [accessed 21 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
June 30, 2013
Rimsha Masih after her release from jail in Rawalpindi in September 2012
The Pakistani Christian girl who was accused of burning the Koran has fled to Canada with her family.
A lawyer and a Christian group said Rimsha Masih, 14, and her family settled in Canada weeks ago.
The family reportedly had been facing threats in mostly Muslim Pakistan.
A Canadian Broadcasting Corporation report said the family was living in the city of Toronto.
Rimsha was detained in Islamabad in August 2012 and charged with blasphemy after a Muslim cleric accused her of burning pages of Islam's holy book.
The cleric was later accused of fabricating evidence and Rimsha was cleared of any wrongdoing.
The case drew attention to Pakistan's tough blasphemy laws, which critics say are sometimes abused to target members of minority religions.
Based on reporting by AP, the BBC, and cbc.ca
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
