PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
RELIGIOUS MINORITIES IN PAKISTAN (5 November 2001)

That this House welcomes the recent security measures implemented by General Musharraf in Pakistan, which have helped to curb Islamic extremist activities and to protect the religious minorities; notes however, that in some ways the plight of religious minorities in Pakistan remains acute; notes in particular the case of Ayub Masih, a Christian who has been sentenced to death under the blasphemy laws for allegedly defiling the prophet Mohammad; notes that the decision appears to have come about as the result of extremist pressure; further notes that the evidence against Mr Masih is flimsy in the extreme, and seems to be connected to a local land dispute; is gravely concerned at the case earlier this year of 14 year old Naira Nadia, a Christian girl who was kidnapped and raped by Islamic extremists after talking to her schoolfriends about Jesus; notes that Naira Nadia has still not been returned to her family despite an order from the High Court; calls upon the Pakistani Government to ensure that Naira is returned to her family and that measures are implemented to make it more difficult for a similar incident to occur in the future; and further calls upon the Pakistani Government to release unconditionally Ayub Masih, to reform the blasphemy laws to protect against obvious abuses, and to introduce key reforms to improve the status of religious minorities in Pakistan.

Sponsored by:
Andy King (Labour)