After spending more than two decades on death row, 72-year-old Anwar Kenneth, a Christian man from Pakistan, has been acquitted by the country’s Supreme Court. His conviction under the country’s blasphemy law has been overturned, with the court recognising that individuals living with mental health conditions cannot be held criminally responsible in such cases.
Kenneth was arrested in 2001 for allegedly writing letters critical of Islam. Despite medical reports confirming that he was experiencing severe psychological distress at the time, he was sentenced to death in 2002 by a court in Lahore. The Lahore High Court later upheld the verdict in 2014, prolonging his incarceration.
The recent Supreme Court ruling brought long-overdue justice. Kenneth is expected to be released soon. His case had been complicated by the fact that, during his trial, he repeatedly insisted on being hanged, a pattern of behaviour his lawyer and doctors linked to his mental health condition. While the acquittal is a major relief for his family and supporters, concerns remain about his safety. In Pakistan, even a baseless accusation of blasphemy can invite violent reprisals, and those acquitted often face threats for the rest of their lives.
Blasphemy laws and persecution of minorities
Pakistan’s blasphemy laws are among the harshest in the world, carrying penalties ranging from life imprisonment to death. Although no one has been officially executed under these laws, many have spent years in jail or fallen victim to mob violence. Christians, Ahmadis, Hindus and other minorities are disproportionately affected. Even Muslims themselves have not been spared in many instances.
In recent years, there has been a sharp spike in blasphemy-related cases. Human Rights Watch reported a rise from 11 cases in 2020 to over 475 in 2024. Many of these stemmed from rumours, personal grudges, or misleading social media posts. In 2023, a false accusation led to a large-scale attack on the Christian community in Jaranwala, Punjab, where churches were vandalised and homes were looted.
A system that fails the vulnerable
Kenneth’s case is just one among many that highlight deep flaws in Pakistan’s justice system, especially when it comes to blasphemy laws. His story also echoes the case of Farhan Masih, a young Christian man with intellectual disabilities, who was acquitted in Punjab earlier this year after being falsely charged under similar circumstances.
Advocacy groups have long argued that the blasphemy laws are incompatible with international human rights standards. These laws are often used to silence dissent, settle personal scores, or drive out minority communities. Legal experts believe that Kenneth’s case should prompt serious legal reform, not just for the protection of minorities but also for people with mental health conditions who find themselves entangled in such harsh systems.
A small victory, but the struggle continues
Kenneth’s acquittal has been welcomed by human rights organisations globally, but it also serves as a reminder of how long justice can be delayed. Spending 23 years on death row, despite medical records and repeated appeals, reflects a painful failure of due process. Now that he is finally free, his family must work quietly to ensure his safety in a country where many still view blasphemy acquittals with suspicion.
For religious minorities in Pakistan and across South Asia, the road to dignity and justice remains steep. But each small victory, like Kenneth’s, offers a glimmer of hope that change is possible.
Rewritten version of the original article published on UCA News.
