Asked by: James Clappison (Conservative - Hertsmere)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he plans to make to the government of Pakistan following the death sentence imposed on Sawan Masih as a result of an alleged offence of blasphemy; and whether he plans to raise that matter at a Commonwealth level.
Answered by Hugh Robertson
I am concerned to hear about the case of Sawan Masih and the imposition of the death penalty. We regularly raise the issue of blasphemy laws, and their misuse against both Muslims and religious minorities at the highest levels in Pakistan. During last week's adjournment debate on the blasphemy law my rt hon Friend the Minister for Europe assured this House that "we must continue to pursue this issue" with the Pakistani authorities. We encourage interfaith dialogue and support those in Pakistan who are working for reform of blasphemy laws. We have also consistently pressed the government of Pakistan on the issue of the death penalty and our principled opposition to it in all cases. We consistently strive to foster debate on the death penalty within the Commonwealth and hope that these issues will be discussed by Commonwealth Law Ministers at their meeting in Botswana in May.