While Kambakhsh may appeal the decision to the Afghan supreme court, many senior officials and leading clerics oppose any challenge to the ruling. Maulavi Muhammad Asif, a senior cleric, stated, "This decision is for disrespecting the holy Qu'ran and the government should enforce the decision before it [comes] under more pressure from foreigners." The Afghan senate has passed a motion confirming Kambakhsh's sentence.

Even as its leaders fail to protect dissenting voices, Afghanistan's constitution provides strong protection for free speech. Article 34 states that "Freedom of expression shall be inviolable. Every Afghan shall have the right to express thoughts through speech, writing, illustrations as well as other means in accordance with provisions of this constitution." Article 7 commits the state to the United Nations charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

"Blasphemy is a human right," commented Ibn Warraq, senior research fellow at the Center for Inquiry. "Independence of mind is a virtue. Mr. Kambakhsh merely acted as any promising student should act, questioning authority and sparking debate. His actions should make Afghans proud. Instead, the narrow thinking of a religious court has brought shame on the country."

The Center for Inquiry condemns this gross injustice, and urges the Afghan government and President Hamid Karzai to pardon Kambakhsh and secure his immediate and unconditional release.

If you have trouble sending the letter from this Web site, you may use this e-mail address provided by the Afghan Embassy: consulate@embassyofafghanistan.org