Lawyers defending people accused of blasphemy in Pakistan are facing growing threats to their lives with death threats and physical assault a regular occurrence for some lawyers. Those accused of blasphemy also face similar threats.

Parvez Aslam Choudhry is a lawyer who has defended many blasphemy cases in the High Court. In the latest case involving Younis Masih, a Christian charged with blasphemy, both Younis and Mr Choudhry have received regular death threats. Mr Choudhry has received numerous anonymous telephone calls, and has been physically assaulted outside the court. On January 26 a van drove into his car on his way home from court, causing him minor injuries.

This is not the first time Mr Choudhry, Chairman of a Lahore-based legal group known as "Legal Aid for Destitute and Settlement" (LADS), has been in danger. As President of the Christian Lawyers Association and recipient of the Pakistan Minorities Front Bishop John Joseph Award, he has defended many Muslims and non-Muslims accused of blasphemy and has been attacked on several occasions.

Group Captain (Rtd) Cecil Chaudhry, Executive Secretary of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA), said: "We want the blasphemy laws repealed. Almost all accusations of blasphemy are false. But until the laws are repealed, we urge the Pakistani Government to ensure that those who are accused of blasphemy and those who defend them are given proper protection and the norms of justice are followed. A person is innocent until proven guilty. The government should stop extremists from crowding the court and threatening lawyers and judges. It is the government's responsibility to ensure that justice is properly implemented."

These latest threats come at a particularly tense time in Pakistan. Hundreds of thousands have participated in violent protests against cartoons published in a Danish newspaper, and two churches in Sukkar were destroyed on February 19.

CSW's Chief Executive Mervyn Thomas said: "We urge the Pakistani Government and police to provide Parvez Choudhry and other lawyers like him with proper protection, and to ensure that those accused of blasphemy are treated as innocent until proven guilty. Extremists should be regarded as in contempt of court when they threaten and demonstrate inside the court room. Urgent action should be taken to stop the harassment and intimidation of lawyers and those accused."

CSW is a human rights organisation which specialises in religious freedom, works on behalf of those persecuted for their Christian beliefs and promotes religious liberty for all.

Notes to editors.

On February 19, St. Mary's Catholic Church and St. Saviour's Church of Pakistan in Sukkar, Sindh Province, were destroyed by a mob after allegations of blasphemy were made. A school and other properties were also destroyed.

In a press release, the National Commission for Justice and Peace condemned the attacks. Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha, NCJP Chairman and Peter Jacob, Executive Secretary said: "We strongly condemn this terrible break down of law and order ' It is sad to note that the places of worship of the religious minorities are increasingly becoming a target. ' The government has failed in addressing the root causes of religious intolerance '. We demand the government of Pakistan to make people at home aware of the consequences of redundant, misleading and dangerous concepts of blasphemy."