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English: Attached are documents related to threats against Faraz Pervaiz from a recent protest held on 29th August 2018, in Lahore and from various cities across Pakistan.

The rallies were organized as a march to Islamabad in protest of a contest organized by the Dutch Member of Parliament, Geert Wilder, where contestants draw depictions of the Muslim prophet Mohammed. Drawings of the Mohammed are considered forbidden by most Muslims and the satirical nature of this contests has angered many conservative Muslims, some to the point of violence.

Along with the anger directed at Mr. Wilder has come similar vitriol and threats towards Faraz Pervaiz and family. Protesters in the rallies carried photos of Faraz Pervaiz, his family and the logo of their church. The signs carried in the rally call us Blasphemers for their personal stance on Islam and our support of Mr. Wilder. Blasphemy in Pakistan is punishable by death and these accusations often result in mob killings without before any judicial process can take place. Similarly, several social media posts and videos depicted Faraz Pervaiz and family being executed by beheading and calls were made by protesters for me to be beheaded. The protests were launched in large part by Tehreek-e-Labbaik, (TLP) a fundamentalist right-wing political party which advocates for policies that are oppressive to religious minorities in Pakistan.

The protests were also supported by Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Imran Khan, who said he would raise the issue with the United Nations and has summoned the Netherlands ambassador to Pakistan to raise a formal complaint.

The political climate in Pakistan now is worse than ever for religious minorities and demonstrates zero tolerance for religious and political freedom. Before this contest, they had already been subject to personal threats and widespread social media campaigns against them for their religious and political beliefs, both of which are fundamental human rights and are meant to be protected by the United Nations and its affiliated organizations.