WRITTEN QUESTION E-2593/03 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission. Persecution of Christians in Pakistan.
Date: 2003-08-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Christian, EU relations, Pakistan, bilateral relations, political cooperation, religious discrimination, violence

C 88 E/104

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

(2004/C 88 E/0108)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2593/03

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(14 August 2003)

Subject: Persecution of Christians in Pakistan

Is the Commission aware of the persecution faced by Christians in Pakistan? What representations has it
made, or will it make, on this issue to the Government of Pakistan?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(22 August 2003)

The Commission remains deeply concerned over a number of human rights issues in Pakistan and is
actively participating in joint EU efforts to address these questions. The EU has regularly used available
opportunities to discuss the situation of religious minorities with the Pakistan authorities. Human rights
issues are also raised during the political dialogue between Pakistan and the EU including at the recent
meeting in Islamabad on 7 June 2003.

The EU has repeatedly called for more protection of Christian and other minorities in Pakistan. The
Commission is aware that a number of incidents involving the Christian community have occurred over
the last two years, in particular an attack on the office of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in
Karachi, the killing of Christian worshippers at churches in Bhawalpur and Islamabad and atrocities
committed against Christian institutions in Murree and Taxila. The Commission is also aware of numerous
incidents of sectarian violence against other minorities including Ahmadis and Shias. The EU will continue
to urge the Pakistan authorities to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice and to take adequate
measures to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

The EU has also repeatedly raised concerns about the blasphemy laws, which have been disproportionally
applied towards religious minorities (although in absolute terms the clear majority of those accused under
the laws belong to the Muslim faith). The Commission will continue to call on the Government of Pakistan
to take all possible measures to prevent the abuse of the blasphemy laws while they remain in force, in
order to ensure persons accused of blasphemy are protected, and to strengthen institutional and legal
safeguards.

The EU welcomed President Musharraf’s speech of 12 January 2002 in which he condemned all forms of
sectarianism and religious hatred and made the case for a moderate and tolerant Islam. Although there are
no legal restrictions on religion practice by minorities, large parts of the population remain uneducated
and ignorant of this state of affairs. The Community, in its development co-operation, therefore prioritises
improved access to secular education within the framework of the country’s education policy. In the
medium term better education should lead to more tolerant attitudes towards minorities.

(2004/C 88 E/0109)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2594/03

by Claude Moraes (PSE) to the Commission

(14 August 2003)

Subject: Persecution of Christians

One of my constituents highlighted the ongoing persecution of Christians around the world, giving
examples in Laos and in Cambodia where five Christian families who, having been ordered to leave their
province, continue to face threats and intimidation in attempts to force them to abandon their faith.

What is the Commission doing in its relations with countries outside the EU to promote and practise
religious tolerance?