Allister questions the Commission on human rights in Pakistan
30 August 2007
Following intense lobbying by CLAAS (Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement) on human rights issues and the persecution of Christians in Pakistan, Jim Allister MEP has put forward several parliamentary questions to both the European Commission and the Council.
The questions tabled and the replies received can be seen below.
Suspension of Christians from medical school in Pakistan
Is the Council aware of an incident that occurred on 1 June 2007 when four Christian student nurses and two teaching staff were suspended from the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences' nursing school in Rawalpindi on the basis of a groundless allegation that they desecrated a Koranic verse posted on a notice board? Will the Council make vigorous representations to the Pakistan Government concerning this disproportionate and discriminatory action?
Death sentence of Younis Masih in Pakistan
On 30 May 2007 Younis Masih was sentenced to death under Section 295C of the Pakistan penal code, on the basis of an allegation of blasphemy against the Prophet Mohammed. Moreover, thereafter a mob led by Islamic clerics has threatened both Masih and anyone assisting him. Will the Council make vigorous representations to the Pakistan Government to ensure Masih gets a fair hearing during his pending appeal to the High Court?
Joint reply to the above questions by the Council:
The Council shares concerns at continuing reports from Pakistan of inappropriate accusations of blasphemy.
The EU has long appealed for the withdrawal or modification of blasphemy legislation in Pakistan to prevent its abuse for the settling of private disputes. A large number of cases continue to be brought under this law, despite changes that have been made to it. This is a matter of serious concern, even if there have been no convictions under the law since 1979. The consequences are very serious for those who suffer violence resulting from inadequate official protection for the accused.
Promoting religious tolerance remains a key objective for the EU in Pakistan. The EU continues to urge the Government of Pakistan to implement its statements on the subject of ‘enlightened moderation’. The EU also continues to work with the government of Pakistan, so as to encourage it to advance with the process of ratifying international instruments guaranteeing human rights, including civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights.
The EU has made representations in the stongest terms to the Pakistani authorities about the treatment of minorities. The EU will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Death sentence of Younis Masih in Pakistan
On 30 May 2007 Younis Masih was sentenced to death under Section 295C of the Pakistan penal code, on the basis of an allegation of blasphemy against the Prophet Mohammed. Moreover, thereafter a mob led by Islamic clerics has threatened both Masih and anyone assisting him. Will the Commission make vigorous representations to the Pakistan Government to ensure Masih gets a fair hearing during his pending appeal to the High Court?
Answer given by Ms Ferrero-Waldner on behalf of the Commission:
The Commission is aware that a death penalty against Younis Masih has been imposed and is conscious that blasphemy cases have been frequently linked to threats of violence.
The Commission is closely following the situation of human rights and religious minorities in Pakistan and is actively participating in joint European Union efforts to address the issue. In this context, the EU has regularly used available opportunities to raise the situation of religious minorities with the Pakistan authorities, for instance during a human rights demarche carried out on 26 June 2007 in Islamabad. The Commission would also like to inform the Honourable Member that the EC and Pakistan established a sub-group on governance and human rights at a Joint Commission in Islamabad in May.
As part of this dialogue, the blasphemy laws have repeatedly been brought up by the EU with the Government of Pakistan. The case of Younis Masih has also been raised as part of the human rights dialogue with Pakistan and the Commission will continue to follow this closely.
Suspension of Christians from medical school in Pakistan
Is the Commission aware of an incident that occurred on 1 June 2007 when four Christian student nurses and two teaching staff were suspended from Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences' nursing school in Rawalpindi on the basis of a groundless allegation that they desecrated a Koranic verse posted on a notice board?
Will the Commission make vigorous representations to the Pakistan Government concerning this disproportionate and discriminatory action?
Answer given by Mrs Ferrero-Waldner on behalf of the Commission:
The Commission is aware of this incident and the accusations that were made against Christian nurses at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences. The Commission understands that in the meantime an amicable settlement has been found.
The Commission is closely following the situation of human rights and religious minorities in Pakistan and is actively participating in joint European Union efforts to address the issue.
In this context, the EU has made representations to various Pakistani Government authorities about this and other cases where supporters of the Lal Masjid in Islamabad have taken the law into their own hands. Protection of minorities and freedom of religion are also raised as part of regular démarches on human rights issues.
Persecution of the Christian community in Charsadda, Pakistan
Is the Council aware of a recent episode of alarming persecution of the small Christian community in Charsadda in the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan, whereby a deadline of 17 May 2007 was presented to them in an ultimatum to convert to Islam, with the threat of dire consequences including bomb explosions if they refused to do so?
In consequence what action has the Council taken to protest to the Pakistani authorities about the continuing failure to take effective steps to stamp out such persecution, and will the Council provide an up-to-date assessment of the situation in Pakistan?
Council reply:
The EU maintains regular contact with the authorities of Pakistan, be it through political dialogue meetings with ministers and officials based in Europe or routine contacts by EU Heads of Mission in Islamabad. It uses these channels to voice EU concerns at religious intolerance in Pakistan as well as the need for continuing efforts to implement government statements on the subject of ‘enlightened moderation’. Promoting religious tolerance remains a key EU objective in Pakistan.
The Council shares concern at continuing reports of religious persecution, including those from Charsadda. The EU has made representations in the stongest terms to the Pakistani authorities about the treatment of minorities. The EU will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Commission reply:
The Commission is aware of reports that Christians in Charsadda were warned that they would face dire consequences if they did not convert to Islam. It is regrettable that minorities in Pakistan continue to face threats by extremist groups and have been subject to attacks, for instance on their places of worship.
The Commission is closely following the situation of human rights and religious minorities in Pakistan and is actively participating in joint European Union efforts to address the issue. The threats against Christians in Charsadda and other high-profile cases highlight continuing problems for religious minority communities in some parts of Pakistan. To the Commission's understanding the latest situation is that several Christian families have left their homes while others have stayed but are living in fear.
Protection of minorities and freedom of religion including the situation of Christians in Charsadda has been raised as part of regular demarches which the EU has carried out on human rights issues.
Commenting on the prevailing situation, Mr Allister stated:-
"I welcome the response from the institutions which indicates that they are aware of the situation and intend to monitor events carefully. However, more has to be done to allow religious freedom to become a reality in Pakistan. It is disgraceful to think that Christians should be forced to convert to Islam and that a death sentence can be issued on the basis of an allegation of blasphemy. I will follow this issue closely and continue to apply pressure on the institutions to ensure that dialogue is maintained with the Pakistani government and religious groups."
