Draft:Joseph Janssen

Joseph Janssen

Joseph Janssen (born October 15, 1986) is a Pakistani Christian human rights advocate known for his work in supporting persecuted Christians, particularly those accused of blasphemy, individuals trapped in debt slavery, and young girls subjected to forced marriages and exploitation. Born into a poor Catholic family in Punjab, Janssen has become an international advocate for religious freedom and social justice.

Early Life and Background

Joseph was born into a Christian family in Punjab, Pakistan. His family had a history of hardship, often struggling with poverty and food scarcity. He grew up in a family of seven children, one of whom was given to his uncle who could not have children. Joseph often worked in the fields from a young age, earning as little as just a few cents per day. Despite his family's financial difficulties, he attended public school in his village.

Originally named Joseph Augustine on his birth documents, a municipal error caused his second name to be lost, and he has since been known only as Joseph.

Joseph was born with six fingers on one hand. Although the extra finger was removed when he was a baby, in his village, being born with an extra finger was considered a symbol of divine favor or special destiny, marking the individual as someone with extraordinary qualities or a unique purpose in life. For Joseph’s family, the extra finger was a sign that he was destined for something significant.

A few people in the village, known for their ability to perceive special qualities in others, believed that with Joseph, a star had been born. As a baby and young child they saw his eyes shining. These signs led his mother to believe that Joseph was a chosen child, destined to dedicate his life to God.

At the age of 14, Joseph fell gravely ill, prompting his father to sell their cow to cover the cost of an unsuccessful surgery. They couldn't afford the cost of another surgery, and the wound began to reopen and became infected. Joseph prayed to God, asking that if He would heal him, he would dedicate his life to Him. Within just a few days, he experienced a miraculous healing as the wound began to close, with new flesh growing to seal it.

Career and Ministry in Karachi

After his healing, Joseph moved to Karachi, where he pursuit an education and took on various jobs, including a government position and work in a textile company. His employment opportunities in Karachi lifted him and his family out of poverty, providing him with stability. During this time, Joseph devoted himself to spreading God's message and supporting Christian communities in Pakistan. Day and night, he worked tirelessly in the church, not only seeking to bring more souls to God but also helping with social outreach—assisting people in finding jobs and securing identity documents.

Family Crisis and Advocacy

In 2014, Joseph’s sister, Shagufta Kausar, and her husband, Shafqat Emmanuel, were falsely accused of blasphemy. This accusation led to a death sentence for the couple, despite their illiteracy and inability to send the allegedly blasphemous text message. Joseph received a threatening phone call from the police, during which he overheard his brother-in-law being beaten.

Fearing for his safety, he sought asylum in Spain in 2014, where he began to advocate for his sister’s case and raise awareness about Christian persecution.

Eventually, with support from a coalition of various Christian international organizations from the West,  the Pakistani lawyer and human rights defender Saif-Ul-Malook was hired, who worked tirelessly for their cause.[1]

In April 2021, the European Parliament passed a motion condemning Pakistan for failing to protect religious minorities, focusing on the case of Ms Kausar and Mr Emmanuel.[2]

On 3 June 2021, the Lahore High Court overturned the convictions due to lack of evidence.[3] Both Joseph and his family remain eternally grateful for the efforts of Members of the European Parliament in advocating for their case and demanding their freedom. After their acquittal, the couple were unable to remain in Pakistan, due to lack of safety, and were given asylum in a European country. Joseph and his wife were at the airport to welcome them and helped them settle into their new home.

Life in Spain and Continued Advocacy

In 2014, Joseph was granted asylum in Spain.

In Valencia, Joseph joined the Neocatechumenal Way, which is a Catholic Christian initiation movement that focuses on the spiritual formation of adults through a deepened understanding of the faith and active participation in the life of the Church. It was founded by Kiko Argüello, along with Carmen Hernández and Father Mario Pezzi, in the early 1960s in Spain.

He eventually met his wife, Mirjam Bos, a Dutch human rights advocate, during a protest in 2015 at the European Parliament in Brussels, where they were rallying against the persecution of Christians in Pakistan. They were married in 2018. The couple has two children, Sarah and Eva, and continues to work together to defend the rights of oppressed Christians and advocate for religious freedom around the world.

Current Work and Recognition

Joseph and his wife, work with Jubilee Campaign, a non-profit organization dedicated to advocating for the rights of persecuted Christians, religious freedom and children at risk worldwide.

In 2020, Joseph founded the non-profit organization Voice for Justice, which advocates for religious freedom and the protection of Christians, with a particular focus on projects in Pakistan.

Joseph Janssen remains a prominent advocate for religious freedom, focusing on supporting those accused of blasphemy, individuals trapped in debt bondage in brick kilns, and young girls forced into marriage and exploited in sex trafficking.

In 2022, he, in collaboration with Voice for Justice and Jubilee Campaign, published the report titled "Conversion without Consent", which documents the abductions, forced conversions, and forced marriages of Christian girls and women in Pakistan.[4]

In 2023, he received the Shabbaz Bhatti Award in Kushpur, Pakistan, in honor of his dedication to the mission of Shabbaz Bhatti.[5]

Shahbaz Bhatti was a prominent Pakistani Christian who dedicated his life to advocating for the rights of religious minorities, particularly Christians, in Pakistan. As the Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs in Pakistan from 2008 until his assassination in 2011, Bhatti worked tirelessly to improve the conditions for religious minorities in a country where they often faced persecution and discrimination.

Joseph is committed to carrying forward Bhatti's legacy, dedicating himself to being a voice for the voiceless and ensuring that his family's ordeal is not repeated. He hopes to extend forgiveness to those who may harm him in his mission, finding strength in his faith to continue advocating for justice and freedom.

Personal Beliefs

Throughout his life, Joseph Anwar has drawn strength from his faith. He believes his work is a calling to help those oppressed and vulnerable. His advocacy has brought him recognition, and he remains committed to supporting Christians and other minorities in Pakistan facing persecution.