Some 178 Christian homes were torched in a recent outbreak of violence
By Shahid Khan
Special to ASSIST News Service
GLASGOW, UK
(ANS) -- The
escalating misuse of Pakistan's blasphemy laws is killing minorities in
Pakistan, a UK-based human rights organisation is warning.
|
|
This pictures posted on a social networking site
says it all |
The trouble began in March of
this year, when a highly-charged mob of between 3,000 and 4,000
extremists torched as many some 178 houses in the Christian-majority
area of Joseph Colony, Badami Bagh, Lahore, over the weekend to "take
revenge of the blasphemy" allegedly committed by a young Christian.
Eyewitnesses said that the mob
broke into houses, looted them and burnt the remaining belongings on the
roads. At least two police officers were reportedly injured when the
mob pelted a police contingent with stones.
According to Christian Solidarity
Worldwide (CSW), the violence was reportedly triggered by a blasphemy
accusation made against a young Christian, Savan Masih.
"The unrest spiraled as word
spread of the allegation and protestors demanded his arrest," said a
spokesperson for CSW. "Police took him into custody today, but it is
unclear whether or not he has been formally charged. At least one local
religious leader has openly called for Savan to be killed."
The mob also attacked Savan's house, setting it on fire and pelting it with stones.
|
|
A protestor celebrates the burning
of Christian homes (Photo: Abid Nawaz/Express, Pakistan) |
The Alliance wrote letters to all
the leaders of the G8, a forum for the governments of eight of the
world's eleven largest national economies, who held their most recent
summit in Northern Ireland on June 17th-18th, plus all representatives
in the House of Lords, the House of Commons, the Scottish Parliament and
the European Parliament prior to their demonstration over misuse of
Pakistan blasphemy laws on April 8, 2013.
Among the G8 countries,
Germany, UK, Canada, and France responded to the Alliance and gave
assurances of their dedication to protecting minorities' rights in
countries where minorities are marginalized and discriminated against.
A letter from the office of
the President of Germany, Joachim Gauck, expressed concern over the
continuous misuse of Pakistan blasphemy laws, stating that "prosecuting
someone because of her and his belief is in clear violation of human
rights." The Alliance was assured that Germany will impress the new
political leadership in Pakistan to make reforms to ensure protection
and safety of its citizens, as well as to focus on capacity development
and training for the law enforcement agencies and the police.
The response from the offices
of the Prime Ministers of both Canada and France acknowledged the
Alliance's work to raise awareness of persecuted minorities, and
stressed the need to safeguard rights of minorities.
The Alliance also received a response from the Foreign and
Commonwealth Office (FCO), condemning the continuous killings of
innocent people on the basis of faith and ethnicity in Pakistan and
offering assurances that the British Government will urge the Government
of Pakistan to protect and guarantee the rights of its citizens.
To continue its
awareness-raising campaign, the Alliance demonstrated in front of the
Scottish Parliament on April 8. They were joined by the Muslim Society
of Edinburgh, the World Mission of the Church of Scotland, as well as
members of public and other religious leaders from both Glasgow and
Edinburgh.
"We are deeply concerned over
the misuse of Pakistan blasphemy laws, which has encouraged us to write
to the international community in a bid to raise awareness. There has
recently been an escalation in the use of Pakistan's blasphemy laws and
this is killing minorities in Pakistan," said Mr. Manassi Bernard, the
Alliance's Chief Executive.
The Alliance gave a thirty day ultimatum to the Government of
Pakistan to rebuild torched houses in Joseph Colony, Lahore, where
thousands of people attacked the Christian community following
allegations of blasphemy on March 9, which led to 178 Christian houses
being burnt to the ground.
The Global Minorities
Alliance (GMA) has since received numerous letters from the UK House of
Lords, the House of Commons and the Scottish Parliament, plus religious
leaders worldwide, expressing appreciation for the work of Global
Minorities Alliance and solidarity with its ethos - to stand with the
poor and the persecuted:
A letter received on the
behalf of Alex Salmond, the First Minister of Scotland, from the
Directorate for Local Government and Communities shared the concern of
Global Minorities Alliance and dubbed blasphemy laws as a "sensitive"
subject in Pakistan. It stated that the Scottish Government will
encourage new Government in Pakistan to support interfaith dialogue and
the reforms of the blasphemy laws.
Dave Thompson, Member of
Scottish Parliament for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, wrote a letter to
the Pakistan Consulate in Glasgow questioning the Pakistan Government's
relief efforts for the victims of Joseph Colony tragedy, and requesting
that measures be taken to stop such tragedies in the future.
|
|
The Archbishop of York
(Photo: EPA/Stephen Pond) |
The Archbishop of Sydney,
Cardinal George Pell, also encouraged the work of the Alliance and
commended the efforts of raising awareness about the persecuted
minorities.
A letter from the European Parliament in Brussels also shared the Alliance's concerns.
"We would like to thank all
those who have taken time and acknowledged the work of the Global
Minorities Alliance to defend the defenseless and be the voice for those
who are voiceless as we continue to further our struggle," said Manassi
Bernard, the Alliance's Chief-Executive.
|
|
Rimsha Masih in this police picture taken after her arrest
|
The Alliance's next step is to
start an international campaign for the release of Asia Bibi, a
Christian mother of five on death row in Pakistan. "We will not rest
until she is released," said Shahzad Khan, the International Director
for Interfaith and Dialogue.
About Global Minorities Alliance
Formed in 2012, the Global Minorities Alliance is a Glasgow-based human rights organisation, committed to raising the voice of minority communities around the world.
The Alliance works towards this commitment by campaigning for:
* Poverty alleviation
* Interfaith harmony
* Education
* Empowerment of women
* Reform of discriminatory laws
* Peaceful co-existence
* Poverty alleviation
* Interfaith harmony
* Education
* Empowerment of women
* Reform of discriminatory laws
* Peaceful co-existence
As stated by me on the Global Minorities Alliance website www.globalminorities.co.uk:
"The absence of fairness, transparency, meritocracy and the rule of law
in general in some countries leave minorities more vulnerable to abuse
as the mighty and influential in these lawless lands take it as their
birthright to mistreat minorities as they choose. In some parts of the
world the integration of minorities into mainstream society is
restricted by design due to the subjugation forced upon them.
"We call for an end to the
systematic discrimination of minorities in any shape or form and urge
the governments of such countries to push through reforms aimed at
providing equal rights to the poor and the disadvantaged sections of
their societies.
"No-one can choose where they
are born or who they are born to. To be born into a minority community
should not mean that you have to live a life where you suffer at the
hands of your own countrymen.
"We say enough is enough and
call upon the international community and like-minded organizations and
individuals across the world to support us in our commitment to help the
minority communities across the world."
Shahid Khan, is Vice-Chairperson of Global Minorities Alliance, who can be reached at info@globalminorities.co.uk. Note: Dan Wooding assisted with the writing of this story.
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar