Pakistan: Christian dies after being beaten by hospital staff

Source: CLAAS

A Pakistani Christian died after being brutal beaten by by security guards and medical staff at a hospital in Lahore.

Sunil Saleem, 26, was killed on March 26 while bringing food to his pregnant sister, Kiran Saleem. The woman had to be visited by a gynecologist, but the doctor, who was on the phone, asked a nurse to visit her instead. When Kiran insisted on being visited by the doctor, a discussion broke out and the doctor came and slapped her.

Family members of the Christian girl protested. Johnson Saleem, Kiran's brother, said the security guards on duty threatened the woman's brothers, Sunil Saleem, Anil Saleem and brother-in-law Kashif Shafeeq, who were at the hospital. A fight broke out and the guards started to beat up the three men. The security guards and at least three doctors continued to beat Sunil for about 30 minutes, and then abandoned him in a critical condition. Shortly after, Sunil died. Family members filed a complaint at Shadman police station in Lahore.

Nasir Saeed, director of the NGO 'Center for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement' (CLAAS), who defends Pakistani Christians, has condemned the attack

He said: "The brutality against Sunil is not justifiable in any way. Too many continue to abuse the law, to take justice in their own hands and to kill innocent people with impunity. When a dispute involves a Christian, Muslims feel entitled to carry out intolerable violence, knowing that they will not be punished. This is not justice. It is sad to see that Pakistan, a country created with the support of religious minorities, has become a place where minorities live in constant fear for their lives.The government of Pakistan has failed to ensure them protection. Many are fleeing the country to seek refuge in other nations. Intolerance against religious minorities in Pakistan has reached a dangerous level and there is an urgent need to stop these atrocities."

For more information about CLAAS see: www.claas.org.uk