2010/2663(RSP) | [ParlTrack]

download json

2010/2663(RSP) Resolution on religious freedom in Pakistan

Progress: Procedure completed

Legal Basis:

RoP 144

Subjects

6.10.08 Fundamental freedoms, human rights, democracy in general

Events

2010/05/20

EP - Results of vote in Parliament

Documents

Results of vote in Parliament

2010/05/20

EP - Debate in Parliament

Documents

Debate in Parliament

2010/05/20

EP - Decision by Parliament

Details

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on religious freedom in Pakistan.

The resolution was tabled on behalf of the EPP, S&D, ALDE, Greens/ALE, ECR and EFD groups.

Whilst welcoming the measures taken in the interest of religious minorities by the Government of Pakistan since November 2008, such as establishing a quota of five per cent for minorities in the federal jobs sector, recognising non-Muslim public holidays and declaring National Minorities Day, Parliament expresses deep concern that the blasphemy laws – which can carry the death sentence in Pakistan and are often used to justify censorship, criminalisation, persecution and, in certain cases, the murder of members of political, racial and religious minorities – are open to a misuse that affects people of all faiths in Pakistan. It recalls that the blasphemy laws, introduced in 1982 and 1986, are misused by extremist groups and those wishing to settle personal scores, and have led to an increase of violence against members of religious minorities, particularly Ahmadis, but also Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Shiites, Buddhists, Parsis, Bahá'ís and critical citizens who dare to raise their voice against injustice. Members note that the vast majority of people accused under the blasphemy laws are Muslim, but accusations against individuals from minority faiths can trigger disproportionate violence against their community as a whole. They also note that it was blasphemy accusations that triggered anti-Christian mob violence in Gojra and Korian in summer 2009, leaving eight dead and at least a hundred houses destroyed. 76 people were charged with blasphemy in 2009 in 25 registered cases, including 17 people charged under Section 295C of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

Accordingly, Parliament calls upon the Government of Pakistan to carry out a thoroughgoing review of the blasphemy laws and their current application, as well as – inter alia – of Section 295 C of the Penal Code, which prescribes a mandatory death penalty for anyone found guilty of blasphemy, and in the meantime to implement amendments as suggested by the Federal Minister for Minority Affairs. It calls on the Government to follow through with its 2008 promise to commute all death sentences to prison terms as a first step in the direction of abolishing the death penalty.

Parliament calls on the Council, Commission and Member States, as appropriate to:

include the rights of minorities in Pakistan in the agenda for the forthcoming summit with a view to initiating early reform of discriminatory blasphemy legislation; include the issue of religious tolerance in society in its counter-terrorism dialogue with Pakistan, this matter being of central importance to the long-term fight against religious extremism; continue with financial support for human rights organisations and defenders, and to outline practical measures to support the growing civil society movement in Pakistan against the blasphemy laws and other discriminatory legislation; request details of tangible progress made in respect of the Government of Pakistan's response to the anti-Christian violence in Gojra and Korian, particularly with regard to bringing the culprits to justice; insist that the Government of Pakistan uphold the democracy and human rights clause enshrined in the Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan; present a report on the implementation of the Cooperation Agreement and the democracy and human rights clause; support the Government of Pakistan in the development of its Ministry for Human Rights and in establishing a meaningful, independent and authoritative National Human Rights Commission.

Members express their particular concern at the ongoing discrimination against and persecution of the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan, and call upon the Government of Pakistan to repeal Section 298 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which severely restricts the daily lives of this group, and to discourage inflammatory events such as the "End of Prophethood" Conferences in Lahore. They also call on the Parkistani government to do the following:

implement fully the judgment of the Supreme Court of Pakistan whereby they are to ensure registration of all eligible voters in the new electoral rolls, including Ahmadiyya Muslims; ratify fully and without reserves the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the 1984 UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; guarantee the human rights of minorities laid down in the Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, notably Article 18 thereof, which provides that "everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion"; implement the proposed reforms of the education system and to regulate and inspect Madrasas; remove all propaganda promoting hatred, religious superiority and defamation of religion from the textbooks approved by the national curriculum wing of the Ministry of Education; facilitate a visit by the UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Ms Asma Jahangir, to Pakistan.

Lastly, Parliament refers to the resolution on "Combating Defamation of Religions" adopted by a narrow majority in the UN Human Rights Council on 25 March, which is proposed annually by Pakistan on behalf of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC). It is concerned about the possible misuse of the "Combating Defamation of Religion" campaign at the UN, stressing the Council conclusions of 16 November 2009. Members note that there is a contradiction between the Government of Pakistan's commitment to freedom of religion and its leading role in the OIC in endorsing the "Combating Defamation of Religion" agenda at the United Nations.

Documents

T7-0194/2010

2010/05/20

EP - End of procedure in Parliament

2010/05/18

EP - Motion for a resolution

Documents

B7-0271/2010

2010/05/18

EP - Motion for a resolution

Documents

B7-0272/2010

2010/05/18

EP - Motion for a resolution

Documents

B7-0273/2010

2010/05/18

EP - Motion for a resolution

Documents

B7-0274/2010

2010/05/18

EP - Motion for a resolution

Documents

B7-0275/2010

2010/05/18

EP - Motion for a resolution

Documents

B7-0276/2010

2010/05/18

Joint motion for resolution

Documents

RC-B7-0271/2010

Documents

Results of vote in Parliament: Results of vote in Parliament
Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
Decision by Parliament: T7-0194/2010
Motion for a resolution: B7-0271/2010
Motion for a resolution: B7-0272/2010
Motion for a resolution: B7-0273/2010
Motion for a resolution: B7-0274/2010
Motion for a resolution: B7-0275/2010
Motion for a resolution: B7-0276/2010
Joint motion for resolution: RC-B7-0271/2010
Motion for a resolution: B7-0271/2010
Motion for a resolution: B7-0272/2010
Motion for a resolution: B7-0273/2010
Motion for a resolution: B7-0274/2010
Motion for a resolution: B7-0275/2010
Motion for a resolution: B7-0276/2010
Joint motion for resolution: RC-B7-0271/2010

Activities

Diana WALLIS
Plenary Speeches (4)
- 2016/11/22 Religious freedom in Pakistan
- 2016/11/22 Religious freedom in Pakistan
- 2016/11/22 Religious freedom in Pakistan
- 2016/11/22 Religious freedom in Pakistan
Bernd POSSELT
Plenary Speeches (2)
- 2016/11/22 Religious freedom in Pakistan
- 2016/11/22 Religious freedom in Pakistan (RC-B7-0271/2010)
Laima Liucija ANDRIKIENĖ
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Religious freedom in Pakistan
Elena BĂSESCU
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Religious freedom in Pakistan
Bas BELDER
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Religious freedom in Pakistan
Lidia Joanna GERINGER DE OEDENBERG
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Religious freedom in Pakistan
Joe HIGGINS
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Religious freedom in Pakistan
Anneli JÄÄTTEENMÄKI
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Religious freedom in Pakistan
Martin KASTLER
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Religious freedom in Pakistan
Nicole KIIL-NIELSEN
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Religious freedom in Pakistan
Eija-Riitta KORHOLA
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Religious freedom in Pakistan
Jacek Olgierd KURSKI
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Religious freedom in Pakistan
Monica MACOVEI
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Religious freedom in Pakistan
Cristian Dan PREDA
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Religious freedom in Pakistan
Marietje SCHAAKE
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Religious freedom in Pakistan
Csaba SÓGOR
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Religious freedom in Pakistan
Eva-Britt SVENSSON
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Religious freedom in Pakistan
Timothy Charles Ayrton TANNOCK
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Religious freedom in Pakistan
Anna ZÁBORSKÁ
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Religious freedom in Pakistan
Zbigniew ZIOBRO
Plenary Speeches (1)
- 2016/11/22 Religious freedom in Pakistan

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)

2021-12-18Show (12) Changes | Timetravel

docs/0/docs/0/url	Old http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2010-0271_EN.html New https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2010-0271_EN.html
docs/1/docs/0/url	Old http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2010-0272_EN.html New https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2010-0272_EN.html
docs/2/docs/0/url	Old http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2010-0273_EN.html New https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2010-0273_EN.html
docs/3/docs/0/url	Old http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2010-0274_EN.html New https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2010-0274_EN.html
docs/4/docs/0/url	Old http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2010-0275_EN.html New https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2010-0275_EN.html
docs/5/docs/0/url	Old http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2010-0276_EN.html New https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2010-0276_EN.html
docs/6/docs/0/url	Old http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/RC-7-2010-0271_EN.html New https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/RC-7-2010-0271_EN.html
events/1/docs/0/url	Old http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20100520&type=CRE New https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/CRE-7-2010-05-20-TOC_EN.html
events/2	date 2010-05-20T00:00:00 type Decision by Parliament body EP docs url: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-7-2010-0194_EN.html title: T7-0194/2010 summary The European Parliament adopted a resolution on religious freedom in Pakistan. The resolution was tabled on behalf of the EPP, S&D, ALDE, Greens/ALE, ECR and EFD groups. Whilst welcoming the measures taken in the interest of religious minorities by the Government of Pakistan since November 2008, such as establishing a quota of five per cent for minorities in the federal jobs sector, recognising non-Muslim public holidays and declaring National Minorities Day, Parliament expresses deep concern that the blasphemy laws – which can carry the death sentence in Pakistan and are often used to justify censorship, criminalisation, persecution and, in certain cases, the murder of members of political, racial and religious minorities – are open to a misuse that affects people of all faiths in Pakistan. It recalls that the blasphemy laws, introduced in 1982 and 1986, are misused by extremist groups and those wishing to settle personal scores, and have led to an increase of violence against members of religious minorities, particularly Ahmadis, but also Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Shiites, Buddhists, Parsis, Bahá'ís and critical citizens who dare to raise their voice against injustice. Members note that the vast majority of people accused under the blasphemy laws are Muslim, but accusations against individuals from minority faiths can trigger disproportionate violence against their community as a whole. They also note that it was blasphemy accusations that triggered anti-Christian mob violence in Gojra and Korian in summer 2009, leaving eight dead and at least a hundred houses destroyed. 76 people were charged with blasphemy in 2009 in 25 registered cases, including 17 people charged under Section 295C of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). Accordingly, Parliament calls upon the Government of Pakistan to carry out a thoroughgoing review of the blasphemy laws and their current application, as well as – inter alia – of Section 295 C of the Penal Code, which prescribes a mandatory death penalty for anyone found guilty of blasphemy, and in the meantime to implement amendments as suggested by the Federal Minister for Minority Affairs. It calls on the Government to follow through with its 2008 promise to commute all death sentences to prison terms as a first step in the direction of abolishing the death penalty. Parliament calls on the Council, Commission and Member States, as appropriate to: include the rights of minorities in Pakistan in the agenda for the forthcoming summit with a view to initiating early reform of discriminatory blasphemy legislation; include the issue of religious tolerance in society in its counter-terrorism dialogue with Pakistan, this matter being of central importance to the long-term fight against religious extremism; continue with financial support for human rights organisations and defenders, and to outline practical measures to support the growing civil society movement in Pakistan against the blasphemy laws and other discriminatory legislation; request details of tangible progress made in respect of the Government of Pakistan's response to the anti-Christian violence in Gojra and Korian, particularly with regard to bringing the culprits to justice; insist that the Government of Pakistan uphold the democracy and human rights clause enshrined in the Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan; present a report on the implementation of the Cooperation Agreement and the democracy and human rights clause; support the Government of Pakistan in the development of its Ministry for Human Rights and in establishing a meaningful, independent and authoritative National Human Rights Commission. Members express their particular concern at the ongoing discrimination against and persecution of the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan, and call upon the Government of Pakistan to repeal Section 298 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which severely restricts the daily lives of this group, and to discourage inflammatory events such as the "End of Prophethood" Conferences in Lahore. They also call on the Parkistani government to do the following: implement fully the judgment of the Supreme Court of Pakistan whereby they are to ensure registration of all eligible voters in the new electoral rolls, including Ahmadiyya Muslims; ratify fully and without reserves the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the 1984 UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; guarantee the human rights of minorities laid down in the Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, notably Article 18 thereof, which provides that "everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion"; implement the proposed reforms of the education system and to regulate and inspect Madrasas; remove all propaganda promoting hatred, religious superiority and defamation of religion from the textbooks approved by the national curriculum wing of the Ministry of Education; facilitate a visit by the UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Ms Asma Jahangir, to Pakistan. Lastly, Parliament refers to the resolution on "Combating Defamation of Religions" adopted by a narrow majority in the UN Human Rights Council on 25 March, which is proposed annually by Pakistan on behalf of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC). It is concerned about the possible misuse of the "Combating Defamation of Religion" campaign at the UN, stressing the Council conclusions of 16 November 2009. Members note that there is a contradiction between the Government of Pakistan's commitment to freedom of religion and its leading role in the OIC in endorsing the "Combating Defamation of Religion" agenda at the United Nations.
events/2	date 2010-05-20T00:00:00 type Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body EP docs url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-7-2010-0194_EN.html title: T7-0194/2010 summary The European Parliament adopted a resolution on religious freedom in Pakistan. The resolution was tabled on behalf of the EPP, S&D, ALDE, Greens/ALE, ECR and EFD groups. Whilst welcoming the measures taken in the interest of religious minorities by the Government of Pakistan since November 2008, such as establishing a quota of five per cent for minorities in the federal jobs sector, recognising non-Muslim public holidays and declaring National Minorities Day, Parliament expresses deep concern that the blasphemy laws – which can carry the death sentence in Pakistan and are often used to justify censorship, criminalisation, persecution and, in certain cases, the murder of members of political, racial and religious minorities – are open to a misuse that affects people of all faiths in Pakistan. It recalls that the blasphemy laws, introduced in 1982 and 1986, are misused by extremist groups and those wishing to settle personal scores, and have led to an increase of violence against members of religious minorities, particularly Ahmadis, but also Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Shiites, Buddhists, Parsis, Bahá'ís and critical citizens who dare to raise their voice against injustice. Members note that the vast majority of people accused under the blasphemy laws are Muslim, but accusations against individuals from minority faiths can trigger disproportionate violence against their community as a whole. They also note that it was blasphemy accusations that triggered anti-Christian mob violence in Gojra and Korian in summer 2009, leaving eight dead and at least a hundred houses destroyed. 76 people were charged with blasphemy in 2009 in 25 registered cases, including 17 people charged under Section 295C of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). Accordingly, Parliament calls upon the Government of Pakistan to carry out a thoroughgoing review of the blasphemy laws and their current application, as well as – inter alia – of Section 295 C of the Penal Code, which prescribes a mandatory death penalty for anyone found guilty of blasphemy, and in the meantime to implement amendments as suggested by the Federal Minister for Minority Affairs. It calls on the Government to follow through with its 2008 promise to commute all death sentences to prison terms as a first step in the direction of abolishing the death penalty. Parliament calls on the Council, Commission and Member States, as appropriate to: include the rights of minorities in Pakistan in the agenda for the forthcoming summit with a view to initiating early reform of discriminatory blasphemy legislation; include the issue of religious tolerance in society in its counter-terrorism dialogue with Pakistan, this matter being of central importance to the long-term fight against religious extremism; continue with financial support for human rights organisations and defenders, and to outline practical measures to support the growing civil society movement in Pakistan against the blasphemy laws and other discriminatory legislation; request details of tangible progress made in respect of the Government of Pakistan's response to the anti-Christian violence in Gojra and Korian, particularly with regard to bringing the culprits to justice; insist that the Government of Pakistan uphold the democracy and human rights clause enshrined in the Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan; present a report on the implementation of the Cooperation Agreement and the democracy and human rights clause; support the Government of Pakistan in the development of its Ministry for Human Rights and in establishing a meaningful, independent and authoritative National Human Rights Commission. Members express their particular concern at the ongoing discrimination against and persecution of the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan, and call upon the Government of Pakistan to repeal Section 298 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which severely restricts the daily lives of this group, and to discourage inflammatory events such as the "End of Prophethood" Conferences in Lahore. They also call on the Parkistani government to do the following: implement fully the judgment of the Supreme Court of Pakistan whereby they are to ensure registration of all eligible voters in the new electoral rolls, including Ahmadiyya Muslims; ratify fully and without reserves the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the 1984 UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; guarantee the human rights of minorities laid down in the Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, notably Article 18 thereof, which provides that "everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion"; implement the proposed reforms of the education system and to regulate and inspect Madrasas; remove all propaganda promoting hatred, religious superiority and defamation of religion from the textbooks approved by the national curriculum wing of the Ministry of Education; facilitate a visit by the UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Ms Asma Jahangir, to Pakistan. Lastly, Parliament refers to the resolution on "Combating Defamation of Religions" adopted by a narrow majority in the UN Human Rights Council on 25 March, which is proposed annually by Pakistan on behalf of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC). It is concerned about the possible misuse of the "Combating Defamation of Religion" campaign at the UN, stressing the Council conclusions of 16 November 2009. Members note that there is a contradiction between the Government of Pakistan's commitment to freedom of religion and its leading role in the OIC in endorsing the "Combating Defamation of Religion" agenda at the United Nations.
procedure/legal_basis/0	Rules of Procedure EP 144
procedure/legal_basis/0	Rules of Procedure EP 135

2020-01-19Show (8) Changes | Timetravel

docs/0/docs/0/url	Old http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B7-2010-271&language=EN New http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2010-0271_EN.html
docs/1/docs/0/url	Old http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B7-2010-272&language=EN New http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2010-0272_EN.html
docs/2/docs/0/url	Old http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B7-2010-273&language=EN New http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2010-0273_EN.html
docs/3/docs/0/url	Old http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B7-2010-274&language=EN New http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2010-0274_EN.html
docs/4/docs/0/url	Old http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B7-2010-275&language=EN New http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2010-0275_EN.html
docs/5/docs/0/url	Old http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B7-2010-276&language=EN New http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/B-7-2010-0276_EN.html
docs/6/docs/0/url	Old http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=P7-RC-2010-271&language=EN New http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/RC-7-2010-0271_EN.html
events/2/docs/0/url	Old http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P7-TA-2010-194 New http://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-7-2010-0194_EN.html

2019-07-06Show (9) Changes | Timetravel

activities	date: 2010-05-20T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=18457&l=en type: Results of vote in Parliament title: Results of vote in Parliament url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20100520&type=CRE type: Debate in Parliament title: Debate in Parliament url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P7-TA-2010-194 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T7-0194/2010 body: EP type: Results of vote in Parliament
committees
docs	date: 2010-05-18T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B7-2010-271&language=EN title: B7-0271/2010 type: Motion for a resolution body: EP date: 2010-05-18T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B7-2010-272&language=EN title: B7-0272/2010 type: Motion for a resolution body: EP date: 2010-05-18T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B7-2010-273&language=EN title: B7-0273/2010 type: Motion for a resolution body: EP date: 2010-05-18T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B7-2010-274&language=EN title: B7-0274/2010 type: Motion for a resolution body: EP date: 2010-05-18T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B7-2010-275&language=EN title: B7-0275/2010 type: Motion for a resolution body: EP date: 2010-05-18T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=B7-2010-276&language=EN title: B7-0276/2010 type: Motion for a resolution body: EP date: 2010-05-18T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=MOTION&reference=P7-RC-2010-271&language=EN title: RC-B7-0271/2010 type: Joint motion for resolution
events	date: 2010-05-20T00:00:00 type: Results of vote in Parliament body: EP docs: url: https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=18457&l=en title: Results of vote in Parliament date: 2010-05-20T00:00:00 type: Debate in Parliament body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20100520&type=CRE title: Debate in Parliament date: 2010-05-20T00:00:00 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P7-TA-2010-194 title: T7-0194/2010 summary: The European Parliament adopted a resolution on religious freedom in Pakistan. The resolution was tabled on behalf of the EPP, S&D, ALDE, Greens/ALE, ECR and EFD groups. Whilst welcoming the measures taken in the interest of religious minorities by the Government of Pakistan since November 2008, such as establishing a quota of five per cent for minorities in the federal jobs sector, recognising non-Muslim public holidays and declaring National Minorities Day, Parliament expresses deep concern that the blasphemy laws – which can carry the death sentence in Pakistan and are often used to justify censorship, criminalisation, persecution and, in certain cases, the murder of members of political, racial and religious minorities – are open to a misuse that affects people of all faiths in Pakistan. It recalls that the blasphemy laws, introduced in 1982 and 1986, are misused by extremist groups and those wishing to settle personal scores, and have led to an increase of violence against members of religious minorities, particularly Ahmadis, but also Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Shiites, Buddhists, Parsis, Bahá'ís and critical citizens who dare to raise their voice against injustice. Members note that the vast majority of people accused under the blasphemy laws are Muslim, but accusations against individuals from minority faiths can trigger disproportionate violence against their community as a whole. They also note that it was blasphemy accusations that triggered anti-Christian mob violence in Gojra and Korian in summer 2009, leaving eight dead and at least a hundred houses destroyed. 76 people were charged with blasphemy in 2009 in 25 registered cases, including 17 people charged under Section 295C of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC). Accordingly, Parliament calls upon the Government of Pakistan to carry out a thoroughgoing review of the blasphemy laws and their current application, as well as – inter alia – of Section 295 C of the Penal Code, which prescribes a mandatory death penalty for anyone found guilty of blasphemy, and in the meantime to implement amendments as suggested by the Federal Minister for Minority Affairs. It calls on the Government to follow through with its 2008 promise to commute all death sentences to prison terms as a first step in the direction of abolishing the death penalty. Parliament calls on the Council, Commission and Member States, as appropriate to: include the rights of minorities in Pakistan in the agenda for the forthcoming summit with a view to initiating early reform of discriminatory blasphemy legislation; include the issue of religious tolerance in society in its counter-terrorism dialogue with Pakistan, this matter being of central importance to the long-term fight against religious extremism; continue with financial support for human rights organisations and defenders, and to outline practical measures to support the growing civil society movement in Pakistan against the blasphemy laws and other discriminatory legislation; request details of tangible progress made in respect of the Government of Pakistan's response to the anti-Christian violence in Gojra and Korian, particularly with regard to bringing the culprits to justice; insist that the Government of Pakistan uphold the democracy and human rights clause enshrined in the Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan; present a report on the implementation of the Cooperation Agreement and the democracy and human rights clause; support the Government of Pakistan in the development of its Ministry for Human Rights and in establishing a meaningful, independent and authoritative National Human Rights Commission. Members express their particular concern at the ongoing discrimination against and persecution of the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan, and call upon the Government of Pakistan to repeal Section 298 of the Pakistan Penal Code, which severely restricts the daily lives of this group, and to discourage inflammatory events such as the "End of Prophethood" Conferences in Lahore. They also call on the Parkistani government to do the following: implement fully the judgment of the Supreme Court of Pakistan whereby they are to ensure registration of all eligible voters in the new electoral rolls, including Ahmadiyya Muslims; ratify fully and without reserves the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the 1984 UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; guarantee the human rights of minorities laid down in the Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, notably Article 18 thereof, which provides that "everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion"; implement the proposed reforms of the education system and to regulate and inspect Madrasas; remove all propaganda promoting hatred, religious superiority and defamation of religion from the textbooks approved by the national curriculum wing of the Ministry of Education; facilitate a visit by the UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Ms Asma Jahangir, to Pakistan. Lastly, Parliament refers to the resolution on "Combating Defamation of Religions" adopted by a narrow majority in the UN Human Rights Council on 25 March, which is proposed annually by Pakistan on behalf of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC). It is concerned about the possible misuse of the "Combating Defamation of Religion" campaign at the UN, stressing the Council conclusions of 16 November 2009. Members note that there is a contradiction between the Government of Pakistan's commitment to freedom of religion and its leading role in the OIC in endorsing the "Combating Defamation of Religion" agenda at the United Nations. date: 2010-05-20T00:00:00 type: End of procedure in Parliament body: EP
links
other
procedure/legal_basis/0	Rules of Procedure EP 135
procedure/legal_basis/0	Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 135
procedure/subject	Old 6.10.08 Fundamental freedoms, human rights, democracy in general New 6.10.08 Fundamental freedoms, human rights, democracy in general

2014-11-10Show (5) Changes

activities	date: 2010-05-20T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=18457&l=en type: Results of vote in Parliament title: Results of vote in Parliament url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20100520&type=CRE type: Debate in Parliament title: Debate in Parliament url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P7-TA-2010-194 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading title: T7-0194/2010 body: EP type: Results of vote in Parliament
committees
links
other
procedure	legal_basis Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament EP 135 reference 2010/2663(RSP) title Resolution on religious freedom in Pakistan geographical_area Pakistan stage_reached Procedure completed subtype Urgent debate or resolution type RSP - Resolutions on topical subjects subject 6.10.08 Fundamental freedoms, human rights, democracy in general

Progress: Procedure completed

Legal Basis:

Subjects

Links

Events

Documents

Activities

History

ParlTrack - 2011-2024