PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
Commemoration of 10th anniversary of Shahbaz Bhatti’s assassination (1 March 2021)

That this House marks the 10th anniversary of Shahbaz Bhatti's assassination for his courageous advocacy for Pakistan's religious minorities; recognises that countless people across the world have died, or faced significant suffering, to protect rights which people mostly take for granted in the UK; laments the fact that, according to Pew Centre Research, four out of every five people live in countries in which there are significant restrictions on freedom of religion or belief; expresses deep concern at ongoing freedom of religion or belief violations in Pakistan such as the misuse of blasphemy laws and the forced conversion and marriage of over 1,000 girls annually; pledges to honour Mr Bhatti’s legacy by continuing to advocate on behalf of religious and belief minorities in Pakistan and around the world; and calls on the British and Pakistani Governments to adopt the recommendations of the All Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom of Religion or Belief’s 2019 Report entitled Religious Minorities of Pakistan.

Sponsored by:
Jim Shannon (Democratic Unionist Party)