E/CN.4/2006/5/Add.1 Page 63 Communication sent on 24 August 2005 with the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression 285. The Special Rapporteurs were informed that, on 3 February 2005, Mohammed Yo unus Shaikh was arrested by police in the city of Kharadar for having distributed copies of his book, “Shaitan Maulvi” (Satanic Cleric), in which he stated that stoning to death (Rajam) as a punishment for adultery was not mentioned in the Quran. He was also accused of insulting four local Imams (religious leaders) by describing them as “Jews”. In response, local clerics issued several fatwas declaring that Younus Shaikh should be killed for insulting Islam. On 11 August 2005 he was sentenced to life imprisonment by a special “anti-terrorism” court for writing and distributing books that contained blasphemous and sacrilegious material. He was being held in solitary confinement in Karachi Central Prison. Concern was expressed that the charges brought against Mohammed Younus Shaikh were a means of restricting his right to freedom of religion and his right to freedom of opinion and expression, and also a tool at silencing human rights defenders. Communication sent on 17 November 2005 286. On 12 November 2005, a group of between 1,500 to 2,000 unidentified individuals attacked and set fire to a number of churches and other Christian buildings in the town of Sangla Hills in Pakistan. The buildings that were attacked included a Catholic Church, a Salvation Army Church, a United Presbyterian Church, a school and a student hostel. According to the information received, approximately 450 Christian families had left their homes the night before after receiving threats from local residents. The incident took place after the alleged burning of an Islamic school and the desecration of the Koran by a Christian man on 11 November 2005. Response from the Government dated 20 December 2005 287. The Government informed that it had investigated the details of the incident and that the relevant authorities had provided the following information. An individual threw a burning match into Quaran Mahal, where old copies of the Holy Quran are preserved. As a result, copies of the Holy Quran caught fire. A case was registered against the accused at Sangla Hill police station and he was interrogated in accordance with procedure. Soon after the incident, District Police Officers arrived at the scene to control the mob. To maintain peace and order, the District Administration also requested representatives of traders, student leaders and other prominent personalities to use their influence to avert any demonstration or procession. The protestors who were allegedly involved in damaging the properties and Churches of the Christian community have been arrested and a case under 16 MPO and the Anti-terrorist Act has been registered against them at City Police Station, Sangla Hill. 288. The Government has taken a number of measures to carryout a thorough and effective investigation and to dispense justice. An Enquiry Officer has been appointed who enquire into the failure of the local police to take effective preventative measures. In addition, a Tribunal will conduct an inquiry into the incident and submit a report to the Government. Two platoons of the Punjab Constabulary, along with