B4-1085, 1090, 1103, 1135 and 1142/98

Resolution on religious intolerance and authoritarianism in Pakistan

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the United Nations Charter on Human Rights,

- having regard to the cooperation agreement currently being negotiated between the European Union and Pakistan and its references to human rights and democratic principles,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on human rights in Pakistan, especially its resolution of 18 June 1998 on the blasphemy laws in Pakistan ((OJ C 210, 6.7.1998, p. 211.)),

A. deeply concerned at the murder on 18 November 1998 of nine Christians in the city of Noshehra, the latest of many acts of violence perpetrated against religious minorities,

B. disturbed by the discrimination practised against members of the Ahmadi and Shia Muslim minorities,

C. concerned that such acts of violence and intolerance are in practice favoured by existing legal provisions such as the much-abused blasphemy laws,

D. alarmed by reports of escalating violence and the invocation of Article 245 of the Constitution on 21 November 1998 in Karachi, calling on the army to assist the police and suspending the High Court¨s jurisdiction over basic human rights in areas where the army is deployed,

E. regretting the detention and ill treatment of two parliamentarians belonging to the Muttahida Quami Movement, following a raid on that organisation¨s head office in Karachi on 21 November 1998,

F. concerned at the many arbitrary arrests, the ill-treatment of detainees and deaths of detainees in police custody in Pakistan,

G. profoundly disturbed by the content of Amendment 15 to the Pakistani Constitution, passed by the National Assembly on 9 November 1998 and awaiting a decision by the Senate,

H. having regard to the statements made by several opposition politicians and human rights activists in Pakistan, who expressed their deep concern at the possible adoption of this amendment to the Constitution and the consequences in terms of restrictions on the basic freedom of women and religious minorities,

I. concerned that whilst this bill also contains the guarantee that the status and laws of non-Muslims will not be affected, its other provisions effectively abrogate this guarantee by establishing the very conditions wherein hostility towards religious minorities is liable to increase,

J. whereas Pakistan, together with Saudia Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, are the only countries which officially recognise the Taliban regime,

1. Appeals to the Pakistan Senate to reject amendment 15 to the Constitution, and calls on all those who wish to uphold basic human rights and freedoms, to work for its rejection;

2. Reiterates its call for the revision of the blasphemy law, which continues to be grossly abused to oppress religious minorities, and calls for action to prevent abuse as long as the present law remains in force;

3. Calls on the Pakistan Government to take effective measures to improve human rights, including conditions in prisons;

4. Requests that consideration be given to a policy of greater consultation and dialogue in Sindh and especially in Karachi in recognition of the fact that more repression can only compound the acute problems afflicting the city;

5. Calls on Pakistan to stop supporting the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and end the spread of fundamentalist Taliban schools and centres in Pakistan;

6. Reminds Pakistan of the importance the EU attaches to respect for human rights which forms an integral part of the cooperation agreement currently under negotiation;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commisson, the Council, the SAARC, and the Government, National Assembly and Senate of Pakistan.