Pakistan: Blasphemy

(asked on 13th December 2023) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had recently with the government of Pakistan on that country’s blasphemy laws insofar as they affect Christians and converts to Christianity, and the impact of that legislation on Pakistan’s international treaty obligations.


Answered by
 Portrait
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
This question was answered on 29th December 2023

We regularly raise our concern over the (mis)use of Pakistan's blasphemy laws privately at the highest levels. We continue to press for due process and adherence to international obligations to prevent wrongful convictions, and speedy and fair trials for those accused. We also urge the Pakistani authorities to ensure the safety of those released. I raised the use of blasphemy laws to target marginalised religious communities, including Christians, with then-Minister for Human Rights Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada on 27 June. The High Commissioner also raised this issue with the Caretaker Minister for Human Rights Khalil George on 12 October.

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