VEILED VIOLENCE: BWA Report on Religious Freedom Violations in Pakistan


The following are excerpts of a report submitted by the BWA to the United Nations Human Rights Council for discussion during the second cycle of a Universal Periodic Review which is to take place in October.


reforms that violate the rights of minorities and in turn protect the violators that perpetuate internal intolerance. Whereas Article 13 of the Constitution of Pakistan is clear


about the rights and interest of minorities, apparently no laws have been enacted for its effective implementation. Those belonging to religious minorities continue to see themselves as second class citizens. Citizens belonging to other faiths, like a Pakistani Christian pastor who prefers not to be identified has affirmed, “are systematically excluded and relegated to a secondary position.” There are several examples of the judiciary where judges of


Clement Shahbaz Bhatti, Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs in Pakistan who was assassinated on March 2


Photo courtesy of the Pakistan National Assembly


I


n reviewing the recommendations that were made to Pakistan in the last Universal Periodic Review cycle, the BWA wants to


highlight that despite all of the recommendations and the positive responses from the country to most of those recommendations in the past cycle, the status of freedom of religion and belief in Pakistan has deteriorated more recently, increasing our concern. The killings of Punjab Governor Salman Taseer and Federal


Minister for Minorities Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti, well known opponents of anti-blasphemy laws, and the increasing number of attacks against different religious minorities since then, are undisputed facts that speak of the deteriorating situation of religious freedom in Pakistan and require a stronger response on the part of its government to the demands of freedom of religion and belief in the country. The exploitation, violence and persecution against religious


minorities are on an increasing curve across the country, imposing constant threats to the fundamental rights of the non- Muslim citizens of Pakistan. Religiously based discrimination has taken many forms in Pakistan in recent years: extra judicial killings, enforced disappearances, violence against women, misuse of blasphemy laws, injustices at the workplace against non-Muslims and attacks on places of worships. All these forms of violence are alarming and can potentially threaten peace and security. While many of the articles within the Pakistan Constitution


are geared toward creating a solid framework for universal human rights and a balanced and fair system, the government which enforces the articles and the Sharait Court system it relies on are known for developing amendments and countermanding


the superior courts have favored the religious extremists. In 2000, Lahore High Court Judge Mr. Justice Nazir Akhtar publicly stated that anyone accused of blasphemy should be killed on the spot by Muslims as a religious obligation (swab). He further remarked that there was no need for any legal proceedings for a blasphemer. Although the statement was subsequently retracted, it indicated the extent of judicial bias on the subject. Other reports suggest that cases are prosecuted because of “unsubstantiated oral testimony of the complainants where statements are taken out of context” (SSCMP, 2010). According to a Christian nonprofit organization in Pakistan


we talked with, a combination of policies from the legislative and the executive powers have weighed heavily against religious minorities. These initiatives strengthen the hands of Islamist extremist activists. Furthermore, they also find accessible mechanisms through the court system to override rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Anti-blasphemy laws are often used to terrorize religious


minorities and guarantee conformity. There have been repeated accusations of abuse and violence occurring throughout Pakistan because of these laws. Working with local NGOs and individuals, the BWA has documented 46 cases of individuals that have been jailed in 2011 on the basis of these blasphemy laws. In the same line as other organizations such as the World


Council of Churches, and the National Council of Churches in Pakistan, the Baptist World Alliance respects the particularities of each country, region and culture, which must be given breadth to generate understanding. However it also recognizes that these aforementioned incidents, which have repeatedly taken place in Pakistan in recent times, indicate the continuation of human rights violations behind the veil of a traditional infrastructure. There must be an increased effort on the part of the Pakistan government to create and enforce policy which safeguards the human rights of all its citizens including marginalized minorities. These measures should ensure equal status for all citizens before the law and protect the rights of all


individuals within both


religious majority and minority groups. The BWA concurs that Pakistan must be urged to enforce


the human rights guarantees secured by its own constitution, and align its laws, particularly those regarding blasphemy and


JULY/SEPTEMBER 2012


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