ASIA/PAKISTAN - Parliament condemns lynchings and calls for respect for the rule of law

Tuesday, 25 June 2024 human rights religious minorities blasphemy

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Islamabad (Fides Agency ) - The Pakistani Parliament has adopted a resolution addressing and condemning the serious practice of "lynching", which has recently hit the headlines due to several incidents such as the events in Sargodha (see Fides 27/5/2023) and Peshawar (see Fides 21/6/2024 ). The resolution adopted on June 23 reaffirms the importance of enforcing the rule of law and underlines the urgency of protecting minorities. The Pakistani media has pointed out that it is a significant step in the area of legislation to combat violence and ensure the safety and rights of all citizens. The resolution, initiated by Justice Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, emphasizes that the right to life is the most important right enshrined in the Pakistani constitution.
"Every person shall be treated in accordance with the law and not otherwise," it reads. The Pakistani Parliament has expressed serious concern over the lynching of citizens accused of blasphemy offenses in Swat and Sargodha, noting with grave concern that such incidents are on the rise. "Such actions cannot be tolerated in any civilized society," the minister said. The text then urges both the federal and provincial governments to ensure the safety and security of all citizens, including religious minorities and other vulnerable segments of society, and calls for immediate measures to identify, investigate and prosecute those involved in these incidents.
The resolution was supported by all political forces. It calls for strict measures to prevent lynching and to curb the misuse of blasphemy laws to protect the lives of innocent people. During the parliamentary debate, Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal emphasized that these are not just isolated incidents but a worrying series of violent acts committed in the name of religion. Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif agreed and called on MPs to take a clear stance on the issue. Justice Minister Azam Nazir Tarar, who along with other MPs was instrumental in drafting and introducing the resolution in the Assembly, reiterated the government's commitment to justice and the protection of human rights.
A similar resolution was also presented and unanimously adopted by the regional parliament of Punjab province yesterday, June 24. The text strongly condemns incidents of blasphemy and calls for protection for all citizens. Initiated by Muslim MP Raheela Khadim Hussain of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, the resolution states that "incidents of violence over alleged blasphemy are extremely worrying and must not be tolerated or go unpunished". Speaking on the occasion, Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan said that such violence and lynchings were a blatant violation of the Constitution, which guarantees the rights of all citizens.
The two resolutions at the federal and provincial levels were supported by various MPs, including Christian MPs. Their support and commitment to this cause has been instrumental in bringing the issue to the forefront to tackle mob violence and protect vulnerable communities.
According to Pakistani civil society organizations, this is "an important step towards promoting justice and equality in the country". The courage of the politicians who have started discussing this law in parliament must be appreciated. There is a growing awareness that the continued abuse of the blasphemy law must be stopped, and this resolution is a glimmer of hope that this discussion will not end here, but that "concrete solutions will be found to save innocent lives", emphasizes Nasir Saeed, director of the non-governmental organization "Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement" (CLAAS). "These resolutions pave the way for broader legal reforms that will hopefully lead to tangible changes on the ground and ensure that the rights of all citizens are respected. The government and lawmakers now have the task of implementing these resolutions effectively and working for a more just and inclusive society," he states.
Meanwhile, in Peshawar in the northern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, police launched an investigation into hundreds of people who attacked a police station and killed a man suspected of desecrating the Quran. With the help of videos circulated on social media, police have been trying to identify the people who attacked and burned down the police station in Madyan, a popular tourist spot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, on June 20 and killed Mohammad Ismail, who was accused of blasphemy. However, the police have not yet arrested any of the attackers. (PA) (Fides Agency 25/6/2024)