The Petition of residents of Nelson, Lancashire, and others,
Declares that they condemn the attacks that took place in March 2013 that targeted Christians in Lahore, Pakistan, where two churches and 178 homes were burnt, and regrets the actions of the local authorities in the city who failed to protect the buildings from attack.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government of Pakistan to remove any laws that discriminate against minorities, abolish the blasphemy laws, release Asia Bibi, and to provide protection and security when such incidents occur in future.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Andrew Stephenson, Official Report, 4 July 2013; Vol. 565, c. 1160.]
[P001191]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs:
I understand and sympathise with those who have signed the petition. I share your concerns regarding religious persecution in Pakistan. The British Government strongly condemn all instances of violence and in particular the killing of innocent people based on their faith or ethnicity. Foreign and Commonwealth Office Ministers regularly urge the Government of Pakistan to protect and guarantee the fundamental human rights of all people in Pakistan. For example, Senior Minister of State Baroness Warsi publically condemned the attacks on the Christian community in Lahore on 9 March and spoke to Pakistan’s Minister for National Harmony and Minority Affairs. During my trip to Lahore in July, I met with the leaders of various religious communities at a multi-faith event where we discussed the issue of religious freedom in Pakistan.
Last year, former President Zardari publically acknowledged the problems faced by Pakistan’s minorities and emphasised his support for ending discrimination. However, Pakistan still has a long way to go to deal with these issues and we will do all we can to support the new Government in their efforts.
I remain very concerned over the case of Asia Bibi. Sadly, there have been very few developments in the last year despite the fact that, alongside our European Union (EU) partners, we regularly engage with the authorities in Pakistan on her case, calling for a free and fair trial and urging the Pakistani authorities to properly implement the blasphemy laws to reduce instances of their misuse. EU High Representative Baroness Ashton raised Mrs Bibi’s case with the Governor of Punjab during her visit in June 2012. In October 2012 Baroness Warsi raised her case and concerns about the treatment of minorities with the Chief Minister of Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif, during his visit to London. We will continue to raise Asia Bibi’s case, as appropriate, with the Government of Pakistan.
The British Government regularly raise the issue of the blasphemy laws, and their misuse against both religious minorities and Muslims, with the authorities in Pakistan. Reform of the blasphemy laws is a particularly sensitive subject in Pakistan, but this does not deter us from raising these matters. Through our High Commission in Islamabad, we are continuing to encourage interfaith dialogue and support those in Pakistan who are working for reform of the blasphemy laws.
Baroness Warsi, Senior Minister of State, hosted a Freedom of Religion and Belief Ministerial conference in London on 22 January and was able to discuss these issues in detail with the Pakistani Human Rights Minister. We will continue to engage with the authorities in Pakistan to promote freedom of religion or belief.