Dr. Charles Tannock, photo via assistnews.net

UK Charity hails passage of EU resolution on religious freedom

The Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS), a charity providing legal assistance to persecuted Christians in Pakistan has welcomed passage of the European Union Resolution on religious freedom in Pakistan in European Parliament, reports Dan Wooding, founder of ASSIST Ministries.

Mr. Nasir Saeed, Coordinator of CLAAS UK said in a statement: “The resolution, passed on May 20, 2010 expresses ‘deep concern’ over the country’s highly contentious blasphemy laws, which the resolution noted were 'open to misuse.' The resolution also calls for a ‘thoroughgoing review’ of the blasphemy laws.

“It comes amid continued dialogue between the EU and Pakistan on human rights issues, a dialogue which has been taking place under the auspices of the Cooperation Agreement signed by the two in 2007.

“The issue of religious minorities was raised at the last meeting between the EU and Pakistani government held on March 25, 2010,” Mr. Saeed stated.

He stated: “The EU says it has consistently used its political dialogue with Pakistan to raise the issue of human rights.

Mr. Saeed, in his statement, said that CLAAS and other Christian rights groups believe the blasphemy laws have been misused by extremists to settle personal scores with Christians.

“Anyone found guilty of blasphemy faces execution or a lengthy prison sentence.

Instead of being used to safeguard religious freedoms, CLAAS and other rights organizations say they are being misused by radical Muslims to settle personal scores against their Christian neighbors, with the effect of fostering widespread hatred towards religious minorities,” said the statement.

It maintained: “This can be seen in a series of deadly attacks on Christian communities, in which dozens of homes have been burnt to the ground and Christians killed because of their faith”.

Mr. Saeed stated that the worst incident in recent years was the attack last August on Christians living in Gojra, in which eight Christians were killed, six of whom were burned to death.

Hailing passage of EU resolution on Religious Freedom in Pakistan in European Parliament Mr. Saeed termed it as “great news.”

He added, “The passage of this resolution is a great encouragement to CLAAS and other organisations like us who are working towards a common goal – that of seeing the blasphemy laws repealed and equality for religious minorities become a reality in Pakistan.”

Mr. Saeed stated the development had only spurred CLAAS in its struggle to secure the same freedoms for Christians and other minorities as those currently enjoyed by members of Pakistan’s majority Muslim community.

“That would not be possible without a change in the government’s attitude towards minorities,” he stated.

Mr. Saeed went on to say: “Although this resolution is a very important and significant step for our work, we still have a lot of work to do before Christians in Pakistan can really say they are free to live and worship as Christians.

“As much as we can work towards this goal, the Pakistani government needs to start taking the necessary steps to grant equal rights to all of its citizens, and not simply those who belong to its favored religion. Repealing the blasphemy laws would be an obvious first step.”

Talking to ANS by phone, Mr. Saeed claimed that CLAAS has been lobbying with Members of European Parliament (MEPs) for rights of Pakistani Christians and other minorities for many years.

Mr. Saeed praised Dr. Charles Tannock, MEP for London, for tabling a written question in European Parliament on March 15, 2010 entitled: “Child Labour and alleged religious discrimination in Pakistan.”

ANS has obtained a copy of the question Mr. Tannock tabled in the European Parliament.

The question reads: “In Pakistan on 22 January 2010, a 13 year old Shazia Masih, a Christian, died after alleged repeated assaults by her employer Muhammad Chaudhry Naeem, a senior lawyer and former president of the Lahore Bar Association

“After initial refusal by the police in Lahore to register or investigate the case, Mr. Chaudhry Naeem has now been arrested.

“Unfortunately since then the case seem to have been put on hold. The Lahore Bar Association has been accusing the media for highlighting the case, and they have been trying to stop the Shazia’s family from entering the court.”

It maintains: “The magistrate has been harassed and shouted at and demands have been brought up to drop the criminal charges against Chaudhry Naeem without going to trial.”

It further reads: “Unfortunately despite legislation and International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions which Pakistan has ratified, under age child labour is still common, and these children are often exploited, underpaid and sometimes violently treated.

“The mistreatment is allegedly often worse if they belong to a religious minority.”

It reads: “Is the commission aware of the tragic case of Shazia Masih? Can the commission further urge the Pakistani government to both implement and enforce the relevant child protection legislation which protects vulnerable children in employment?”

SALE! 40% OFF! How to Be Happier 7 Days a Week

TAGS: United Kingdom Pakistan EU resolution religious freedom blasphemy laws persecution

[06/08/2010]

Print Version