(2004/C 88 E/0108)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2593/03

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(14 August 2003)

Subject:   Persecution of Christians in Pakistan

Is the Commission aware of the persecution faced by Christians in Pakistan? What representations has it made, or will it make, on this issue to the Government of Pakistan?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(22 August 2003)

The Commission remains deeply concerned over a number of human rights issues in Pakistan and is actively participating in joint EU efforts to address these questions. The EU has regularly used available opportunities to discuss the situation of religious minorities with the Pakistan authorities. Human rights issues are also raised during the political dialogue between Pakistan and the EU including at the recent meeting in Islamabad on 7 June 2003.

The EU has repeatedly called for more protection of Christian and other minorities in Pakistan. The Commission is aware that a number of incidents involving the Christian community have occurred over the last two years, in particular an attack on the office of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Karachi, the killing of Christian worshippers at churches in Bhawalpur and Islamabad and atrocities committed against Christian institutions in Murree and Taxila. The Commission is also aware of numerous incidents of sectarian violence against other minorities including Ahmadis and Shias. The EU will continue to urge the Pakistan authorities to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice and to take adequate measures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

The EU has also repeatedly raised concerns about the blasphemy laws, which have been disproportionally applied towards religious minorities (although in absolute terms the clear majority of those accused under the laws belong to the Muslim faith). The Commission will continue to call on the Government of Pakistan to take all possible measures to prevent the abuse of the blasphemy laws while they remain in force, in order to ensure persons accused of blasphemy are protected, and to strengthen institutional and legal safeguards.

The EU welcomed President Musharraf’s speech of 12 January 2002 in which he condemned all forms of sectarianism and religious hatred and made the case for a moderate and tolerant Islam. Although there are no legal restrictions on religion practice by minorities, large parts of the population remain uneducated and ignorant of this state of affairs. The Community, in its development co-operation, therefore prioritises improved access to secular education within the framework of the country's education policy. In the medium term better education should lead to more tolerant attitudes towards minorities.