E/CN.4/1995/91 page 69 (a) Anwar Masih, a Christian, married and father of three children, was arrested on 2 February 1993 in Sammundri, Faisalabad (Punjab province) following a complaint made against him by Haji Mohammad Tayyab, the local head of Anjuman Siphal-e Sahaba (ASS). According to the complainant, Anwar Masih is reported to have shouted angrily, insulting Muslims and blaspheming. Mass demonstrations in Sammundri demanded that Masih should be tried by a so-called ’special court for speedy trial’ and publicly hanged. In addition, the day after his arrest under section 295 C of the Penal Code, strikes are reported to have taken place in protest against him. The complainant is said to have stated that, on 1 February 1993, Masih made blasphemous remarks during an argument with Mohammad Aslam, a tradesman. The latter is reported not to have made any complaint, apparently not seeing any reason to do so in view of his friendly relations with Masih. Aslam is said to have simply reported the incident to members of ASS, including Tayyab, who decided to make a complaint. Anwar Masih, who was born into a Christian family, is said to have converted to Islam twice and then to have reverted to the Christian faith. According to some information, Masih was a drug addict and was considered mentally unstable by the members of his community. According to some testimonies, Aslam and Masih both insulted each other’s religion during their argument. However, under the blasphemy laws, only alleged attacks on Islam may be the subject of complaint. The Special Rapporteur was also informed that Masih was associated with local protests which related to the indication of an individual’s religion on his national identity card and which reportedly displeased ASS. Anwar Masih is said to have rejected the charges of blasphemy and explained that he had simply had an argument over debts. Masih, who was initially detained at Sammundri prison, was reportedly transferred to Faisalabad prison. ASS members continued to organize protest demonstrations in Sammundri during the month of February. They also threatened to burn down the Christian areas of Sammundri (inhabited by some 20,000 Christians) unless Masih was publicly hanged. Proceedings are reported to be still under way. (b) Sorvar Bhatti (case mentioned in the communication of 8 November 1993 is said to have been released from prison in early 1994 after having been cleared of charges of blasphemy. According to some information, however, Sorvar Bhatti was forced into hiding following death threats by complainants. (c) Chand Barkat, a 30-year-old Christian, was arrested on 8 October 1991 for blasphemy and is reported to have been acquitted in January 1993. Six Muslim witnesses reportedly admitted in court that they had not heard Barkat blaspheme. None the less, since his release on 24 January 1994, Barkat and his family are said to have repeatedly been the victims of harassment and intimidation by their Muslim neighbours. In addition, local Muslim clergymen are said to have made death threats against Barkat. The complainant, Mohammad Arif, is also said to have established a group that has sworn to kill Barkat. (d) Habib Masih, a Christian leader in Shanhkot, Sheikhupua, near Lahorem was arrested for blasphemy in November 1993 after an amulet containing verses of the Koran was found on the road. Local clergymen