Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lahore (Agenzia Fides) - The Commission "Justice and Peace" of the Pakistani Bishops have invited the UN Special Observer on religious Tolerance to visit Pakistan to see the "abuses and violence against religious minorities" and call on the Pakistani government to abolish the so-called "blasphemy law". This is what the new Report, titled "Human Rights Monitor 2011", confirms, of which a copy was sent to Fides, which draws an alarming picture concerning the plight of religious minorities, and Christians in Pakistan today.
"The year 2010-2011 was a 'black year' for minorities: simply remember the murder of Shahbaz Bhatti. But there is greater attention on behalf of the international community and media on these issues. This gives us hope, but also requires a continual verification of reports and investigation on cases that the Commission carries out continuously, and scrupulously", says Peter Jacob, Executive Secretary of the Justice and Peace Commission, the organ of the Episcopal Conference of Pakistan, commenting on the report.
According to the data contained in the vast Report (145 pages) sent to Fides, religious minorities in Pakistan are victims of religious intolerance and social discrimination. They suffer attacks on churches and institutions; hostile religious propaganda, which stirs up hatred; blatant violation of religious freedom; forced conversions, forced expropriation of land and property. All this happens because in Pakistan - says the Report - "there are laws that violate the rights of minorities such as blasphemy" and because there is often "abuse of power by the police force and powerful politicians".
Touching the "sore spot" of the blasphemy law, the Report cites at least 40 people charged with blasphemy, including 15 Christians, 10 Muslims, 7 Hindus and 6 Ahmadi. Between 1986 (the year when the law came into force) and 2011, those accused of blasphemy and murdered in extrajudicial killings have been 37, including 18 Christians and 16 Muslims. In the same period were 1081 were charged with blasphemy: among them 138 Christians, 468 Muslims, 454 Ahmadis, 21 Hindus.
The Report also dedicated a section to "crimes against women," denouncing the lack of policies for their social advancement. In particular, women belonging to religious minorities are considered "objects" and are victims of murder, violence, rapes, kidnappings, forced conversions and marriages: The report describes in detail at least 15 examples.
Among the recommendations, "Justice and Peace," asks the government "urgent changes in laws and public policies" to eliminate discriminatory laws against minorities and "to ensure civil, social, economic, cultural and religious rights ", providing "a framework full of respect for fundamental human rights". This is why we need "to repeal the blasphemy law and compensate the victims." In addition, the establishment of two permament Commissions are asked, one for Human Rights and one for Religious Minorities, with powers of Court, and the task of monitoring the situation. To this end, the Commission also invites the UN Special Observer on religious Tolerance to visit Pakistan. A point is also about "the necessary modification of the education system in Pakistan", which adversely influences the younger generation and tends to assimilate religious minorities. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 15/09/2011)
