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On 15 September 2004, Daso Adamu was given the same sentence by a Shariah court
of Ningi area for having had extramarital relations. The male co-accused was
acquitted for lack of evidence. She was detained in Ningi Prison with her 3-month-old
daughter and released on bail following the intervention of a local NGO. She had
appealed her sentence, and her case at the Upper Shariah Court of Ningi was
adjourned till 3 November 2004.
176. On 27 October 2004, the Special Rapporteur sent a communication to the
Government regarding information according to which, on 20 September 2004, more
than a dozen Christians were reportedly killed and seven others kidnapped in a raid
conducted in the towns of Bama and Gwoza by some 60 members of Al Sunna Wal
Jamma, an Islamic group also known as the “Taliban”. The group also reportedly
attacked police stations, killing four policemen. Reports indicated that the group had
launched similar raids on towns and villages in neighbouring Yobe State in January
2004 but had then been defeated by the federal armed forces. At the time of the
communication, inquiries into the whereabouts of the kidnapped Christians were
reportedly ongoing.
Pakistan
Communications and replies received
177. On 14 June 2004, the Special Rapporteur transmitted a communication to the
Government of Pakistan regarding Diwan Hashmat Hayat, who was reportedly
attacked by a mob outside his house on 3 April 2004 because he asked a neighbouring
mosque to make less noise. Despite his serious injuries, it was alleged that he was
arrested and taken to Jhelum District Central Jail, Punjab, where he was beaten on the
orders of the jail authorities. He was reportedly charged with blasphemy under section
295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code, which carries a death sentence for the offence of
defiling the Prophet Mohammed.
178. In the same communication, the Special Rapporteur brought to the attention of
the Government the case of Javed Anjum, a Christian youth, who reportedly died on
2 May 2004 after he was severely tortured by a teacher and students of an Islamic
seminary at Chak No. 323/G.B district, Toba Tek Singh, Punjab. It was reported that
on 17 April 2004, Javed Anjum was drinking water from a tap outside the seminary,
when he was abducted and tortured severely for five days for allegedly stealing the
water pump. He was reportedly handed over to the police on 22 April 2004 on a
charge of robbery, but due to his critical physical condition he was taken to the
hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. According to his deathbed statement,
Javed Anjum was severely tortured when he refused to convert to Islam. Although the
police had allegedly initially refused to register a case against the perpetrators, arrests
were reportedly made on 5 May 2004. Meanwhile, it was alleged that the victim’s
family was being pressured to withdraw the case.
179. By letter dated 25 June 2004, the Government of Pakistan informed the
Special Rapporteur that the investigation into the case of Javed Anjum had
reportedly revealed that Javed Anjum Masih was mentally retarded. On 17 April
2004, he and his family were visiting a relative in Toba Tek Singh. At Toba Tek