91998E2388

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2388/98

by Allan Macartney (ARE) to the Commission

(27 July 1998)

Subject: Religious freedom in Pakistan

Given the recent death sentence pronounced on Ayub Masih, is the Commission satisfied that religious freedom is adequately protected in Pakistan, and are steps being taken to monitor the situation of minority religious groups?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission

(15 September 1998)

Through its delegation in Islamabad, the Commission has followed the case of Ayub Masih very closely, and has expressed grave concern over the death of the bishop of Faisalabad.

The Commission participated in a fact-finding mission in Faisalabad and Sahiwal and met diocesan staff, the parents of Ayub Masih and local Christians.

On 14 May 1998, the Union Troika delivered a démarche on the blasphemy laws to the Pakistani minister of Law and expressed great disquiet over the existence of the death penalty for blasphemy, stressing the need to take appropriate measures to avoid abuses.

In conceptual terms, protection of religious freedom can coexist with a blasphemy law in the legislation. The problem resides in the way it is applied, possible abuses and the level of punishment foreseen in the legislation.

Although religious freedom is, at the moment guaranteed by the constitution in Pakistan, the minority religious groups fear that an Islamisation of the State could further restrict this freedom. Moreover, the existence of the death penalty for blasphemy can be used to threaten and intimidate minority groups.

The Commission attaches great importance to all aspects of human rights in Pakistan, and therefore to the protection of religious freedom. It will therefore continue to monitor closely the situation and participate in all actions aimed at improving human rights conditions in the country.