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We appreciate your recent sharp admonishing of “Jihad Groups” in Pakistan and reminding them that it is ‘Un-Islamic’ to malign a particular people or country and your bold step in reducing defence spending in the current budget. In the backdrop of dialogue we would like to invite your immediate attention to the following :
India and Pakistan are rooted in spirituality and were well known for the freedom of its religions and worship from time immemorial. If proper spiritualism of religions takes place, communal harmony and peace would be the outcome. A growing body of evidence confirms reports that the Christians and Hindus - religious minorities in Pakistan continue to be treated as second-class citizens. We are outraged by the blasphemy laws of your country, which are selectively used against religious minorities. Under blasphemy law extra-judicial killings and arrests have become a day-to-day affair for minorities in Pakistan.
The radicals under the support of authorities infringe the modesty of minority women. Lands are confiscated by the draconian blasphemy laws against the minorities in different provinces of Pakistan. The situation of minorities is deteriorating -in Pakistan also due to the continuous pressure by ‘jihadis’ to run the country like the Talibans do in Afghanistan. The blasphemy laws have divided the nation on communal basis. These laws are vague, bigoted and spread terror in the subcontinent. Amnesty international has already reported ‘the consequences of such laws on minority communities.
Bishop John Joseph has sacrificed his life on the altar of Pakistan’s intolerance of non-Muslims. Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men the defenses of peace must be constructed (Preamble of UNESCO). Your visit and the forthcoming summit are an opportunities to remove mistrust and misunderstanding and to pursue the path of harmony, peace and prosperity.
The notoriously dangerous blasphemy law of Pakistan is clearly discriminatory and violates the provisions of the international conventions on the elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination (Article 1-6) and throws to wind the minority rights of non-Muslims living in Pakistan, the gross violation of the provisions of Human Rights (Article 2,3 & 7) which says “Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, (Universal Declaration of Human Rights). Without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political and other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Furthermore, no distinction shall be made on the basis of the political, jurisdictional or international status of the country or territory to which a person belongs, whether it be independent, trust, non self governing or under any limitation of sovereignty. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person. All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection with regards to violation of this declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.”
Our Appeal
* Immediate repealing of all laws and provisions of anti minority nature from the constitution including obnoxious blasphemy laws.
* Initiate proactive steps to instil confidence in the minds of non-Muslims in Pakistan by reconstructing places of worship destroyed during the anti-minority riots in the recent past.
* Release all persons arrested on blasphemy laws and allow a fair trial in all provinces of Pakistan. Respect for Human Right must be a basic feature of state policy and must be reflected in all actions of government and the private sector. Special Human Rights courts must be set up to expedite cases and ensure punitive action against those guilty of violation of Human Rights
* Resolve to protect Human Rights’
of the poor and the marginalized and the minority sections and create an
environment of tolerance and publicize state’s resolve to provide equality
of all its citizens irrespective of sex, class and religion.
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