WRITTEN QUESTION E-3412/02

by Glyn Ford (PSE) to the Council

(29 November 2002)

Subject: Christian groups in Pakistan

Has the Council made representations to the Government of Pakistan in order to respond to the plight of certain Christian groups in Pakistan?

If not, does it intend to do so?

Reply

(5 and 6 May 2003)

1. The Council has repeatedly underlined the importance of freedom of religion as a fundamental human right. Human rights are an essential part of the EU's political dialogue with all countries, including Pakistan.

2. The EU has noted the incidents of violence against Christians as well as institutions belonging to the Christian community in Pakistan. These include the attack on the Murree Christian School and the Taxila Christian Hospital in August 2002, the Christian welfare organisation in Karachi in September 2002 which caused the death of six people and, most recently, an attack on a Protestant church in Daska, near Lahore, on 25 December 2002 following which four women died.

3. On several occasions the EU has raised its concerns about the situation of Christians in Pakistan with the Pakistan authorities. On 7 August 2002 and 25 September 2002, the European Union issued declarations deploring the attack on Christian institutions.

4. The Council would remind the Honourable Member that in the declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the election of the new Prime Minister of Pakistan the European Union stressed that it would carefully monitor the transfer of power to a civilian administration within the time frame laid down in the Pakistani authorities' roadmap to democracy and voiced once again the hope that all the Parties and political forces would work together to achieve good governance and functioning democratic institutions. It also looked forward to cooperation with the new Pakistani Government on all issues of mutual interest, including the fight against terrorism.

5. In line with its guiding principles of respect for fundamental rights, and in particular freedom of thought, conscience and religion as referred to in Article 10 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, the EU will continue to pay close attention to the situation of Christians in Pakistan, and will, if necessary, raise the various problems with the Pakistani Government.