CCA General Secretary offers condolences on passing of Pakistani human rights defender Joseph Francis

We have been saddened to hear of the passing of Pakistani human rights defender Joseph Francis. Joseph Francis established the Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS), Lahore, Pakistan - a partner organisation of the Methodist Church in Britain.

Sheila Norris, Partnership Coordinator for Asia and the Pacific, shares "Joseph's dedication to the struggle for human rights and his work to try to ensure legal representation and fair trials, has inspired and challenged us over many years of Partnership." We join the Christian Conference of Asia in extending our heartfelt condolences to Mr Francis' family and the staff of CLAAS during this difficult time.

Below is the statement offered by the Christian Conference of Asia taken directly from their website.

CCA General Secretary offers condolences on passing of Pakistani human rights defender Joseph Francis

Chiang Mai, Thailand: The General Secretary of the Christian Conference of Asia (CCA) offered condolences on the passing of prominent Pakistani human rights defender M.A. Joseph Francis, founding National Director of the Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS), Lahore, Pakistan.

CLAAS was established in 1992 by Joseph Francis with a deep commitment to addressing the acute need for legal aid, protection, and rehabilitation of victims of human rights violations, particularly individuals charged under Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy laws. Over the years, CLAAS has become a beacon of hope, advocating for the marginalised and persecuted in Pakistan and for other vulnerable groups facing human rights violations, including women and children from religious minority communities.

Recalling his close association with Joseph Francis as part of his human rights advocacy work at the United Nations, the CCA General Secretary Dr Mathews George Chunakara stated that despite personal risks and threats to his life from religious extremists, Francis dedicated his entire life to defending the human rights of persecuted religious minorities in Pakistan.

Reflecting on Francis’ tireless efforts over the decades to defend the rights and dignity of victims of religious intolerance and human rights violations, Dr Chunakara said, “Joseph Francis demonstrated extraordinary courage and steadfastly advocated for legal protection for those accused under Pakistan’s notorious blasphemy cases. He was also instrumental in providing shelter for many young women from minority religious communities in rural Pakistan who had been rescued after being abducted for forced marriages.”

Mr Francis was widely respected, both nationally and internationally, for his leadership in defending human rights and for rendering legal aid to vulnerable people.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions to human rights, he was appointed an Honorary Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2011 and was the recipient of numerous other honours and commendations for his unwavering commitment to justice and the protection of religious minorities.

The Christian Conference of Asia extends heartfelt condolences to Mr Francis' family and the staff of CLAAS during this difficult time.