Front Line is deeply concerned following reports of the attack and death threats against human rights defender Parvez Aslam Choudhry. Parvez Aslam Choudhry is Chairman of Legal Aid for the Destitute and Settlement (LADS) in Lahore. In 2003 he was awarded the Bishop John Joseph Award by Pakistan Minorities Front for his outstanding work in defending the rights of minorities at considerable personal risk.

Further Information

Posted 16/04/2008On 8 April 2008, at approximately 12.00 midnight, Parvez Aslam Choudhry received an anonymous telephone call threatening both him and his family. Parvez Aslam Choudhry was reportedly told he was to be killed because he was a Christian lawyer defending a Christian person accused of blasphemy. Similar threats were also made against him inside the court by witnesses. The case in question concerns a former Christian who converted to Islam before marrying Muslim woman.

On 6 April 2008, Parvez Aslam Choudhry was attacked by a large mob when he arrived at court for the bail hearing. His car was damaged and the mob threatened to kill him. Parvez Aslam Choudhry's application for the court to take legal action was accepted but action has reportedly yet to be taken.

Parvez Aslam Choudhry has previously been the subject of death threats. Front Line believes that the attack and death threats against Parvez Aslam Choudhry are an attempt to dissuade him from continuing with his legitimate and peaceful work in the defence of human rights. Front Line is concerned for his security and physical and psychological integrity, as well as that of his family members.