Huma’s parents appeal to
Pope: “Francis, help us!”
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| Pakistani Christians in prayer (ANSA) |
The parents of a 14-year-old Christian Huma Younas have
asked Pope Francis and civil authorities for help after their daughter was
kidnapped and forced to marry one of the kidnappers. “The interest of the
international community is crucial,” says a lawyer who is following the case.
By Vatican News
Huma Younas’ parents are pursuing every avenue that could
help them secure the release of their daughter, even appealing to “the Holy
Father Francis”. Their 14-year-old daughter was kidnapped two months ago in
Pakistan, and now they are launching a video calling for help to media outlets
throughout the world. Their anxiety has continued to increase day by day after
Huma was forcibly converted to Islam and given in “marriage” to one of the
kidnappers. Seeing the impact of international pressure in the case of Asia
Bibi, they hope that raising awareness might help in their case as well.
No response
Huma is just 14 years old and is likely to have fallen
victim to the lucrative practice of trafficking in human beings, particularly
women, by Chinese and Pakistani criminals.
The case of Huma is being followed by lawyer Tabassum Yousaf
on behalf of the archdiocese of Karachi. Yousaf reports that five appeals made
to the courts in Karachi have had no effect. Adding insult to injury, the
kidnappers themselves have now appealed to the High Court, asking the justices
to free the girl from her parents' authority, claiming that she is of age. But
Huma was born in 2005 and is simply a teenager who wants to experience life
like her peers.
Video appeal
In the video in which Huma’s parents ask for Pope Francis’
solidarity, they also address the international community as a whole, as well
as the authorities in their own country, from the head of the government to the
chief of the armed forces. In particular, they appeal to politician Bilawal
Bhutto Zardari, the son and heir of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, who
was assassinated in 2007.
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