February 12, 2026
By Xari Jalil
LAHORE
Human rights defenders and activists have expressed their deep sorrow at the passing of Joseph Francis, a prominent minority rights activist, and founder of the Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS).
Born in 1945, Francis belonged to a Roman Catholic family, and was raised with religious traditions and culture. His struggle for persecuted Christians began during the 1965 war between India and Pakistan, during which many Christians became victims of arrests and enforced disappearances, having been accused of ‘spies for India’. According to information provided by CLAAS, Francis used to visit jails and prisons trying to trace these missing people and also provided guidance to their families for jail visits. He always fought fiercely against the discrimination faced by Christians in Pakistan.
Joseph Francis, was also an HRCP Council member with the organization describing him as “a tireless human rights defender”. HRCP also expressed sorrow and highlighted that Francis had ‘dedicated decades to supporting victims of discrimination at great personal risk, particularly religious minorities, and advocating justice in sensitive cases.’ One of these was the case of Tahir Iqbal.
On 19th December 1990, Francis took on the first blasphemy case of Tahir Iqbal, a Muslim by birth who converted to Christianity. Because of his conversion there were blasphemy charges fabricated against him and he was charged and sent to Kot Lakhpat jail, Lahore. Francis accompanied him to his trial in additional and Session court in Lahore. However later, Tahir Iqbal was possibly poisoned and found dead in his prison cell.
Francis earned national and international recognition for his lifelong service to marginalized communities, including a nomination for the prestigious Sakharov Prize.
Prominent minority rights activist Peter Jacob also spoke to Voicepk, remembering Francis’ life and work.
“Although there were hundreds of dedicated activists in the past 50 years, from 1970s to now, the valour and vigour of Joseph Francis was remarkable and outstanding,” said Jacob, executive director of Centre for Social Justice. “He made himself available to people in need and at risk. His ability to mobilize people and the support that was required in compelling circumstances was incredible. He went out of his way to help people, whether it involved travelling long distances, organizing public protests, legal action. Dialogue with authorities was not always a smooth journey. I wish the very best to his daughter Eiga Kenny and people who would want to carry forward his legacy.”
Meanwhile the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) noted that “Francis’s steadfast belief in equal citizenship and human dignity will always be remembered with profound respect.”
Former parliamentarian and minority rights activist Mary James Gill also expressed her sorrow.
“Deeply saddened by the passing of Joseph Francis,” she said. “His unwavering commitment to justice, dignity, and the rights of the most marginalized leaves behind an enduring legacy. He was not only a courageous human rights defender but also a guiding force for so many. His demise is certainly a profound loss for the Pakistani Christian community, which found strength and global representation through a recognized institution like CLAAS.”
Joseph Francis also participated alongside Asma Jahangir in many protests, rallies and events. In fact Francis in order to honour the legacy of Asma Jahangir, also held the ‘Asma Jahangir Awards’, on February 12, 2018, given for minorities, women’s and law/lawyers’ rights, and recognising the struggle of individuals to uphold the rights of people.
The awards honoured Asma Jahangir’s struggle for the rights of the people.
Joseph Francis was ill for many years before he passed on February 11, 2026. He leaves behind a daughter Eiga Kenny, also an activist and two sons Azeem and Waseem.