Europe must help to end Blasphemy laws in Pakistan, say activists

(Nov.11,2009): “Save Christians and Pakistan from the blasphemy laws” was the title of the Press Conference sponsored by AsiaNews and held in Vatican Radio on Tuesday. Fr. Emmanuel Mani, Director of the National Commission for Justice and Peace, NCJP, of the Catholic Church in Pakistan said the Commission is engaged in advocacy for rights of religious minorities, labour and women in Pakistan. He said the particular concern that brings his colleagues and him to Europe is religious extremism and the situation of religious minorities.“We would like to inform international public opinion about the institutional injustices against religious minorities, in particular against the Christian community in Pakistan,”he added.
Fr.Mani related the numerous attacks against Christians and churches in different places in Pakistan. The priest, who has worked with the organization ever since its inception and is the National Director since 1995, said there are certain common features to these incidents of extreme and organized violence. Certain groups and organizations, he said are orchestrating a hate campaign against the Christians, who number about 3 million in Pakistan. Second, the government is usually aware of growing tensions but fails to control violent attacks. Third, certain laws and policies breed hatred and are used to cause religious frenzy among the people. Fourth, mosque loudspeakers and forums are used to gather and plant misconceived ideas in people with regards to blasphemy. The priest said his organization has helped many individuals who found themselves in situations where they were accused of blasphemy.
“It is time that terror and injustice in the name of religion should end”, said Fr. Mani and added “ The international community has a role to play to persuade the government of Pakistan to take the necessary action to stop discrimination and violence against religious minorities. The government of Pakistan should go beyond the repeal of the blasphemy laws. It should move to build a culture of interfaith harmony and peace. It is time the government should prove its claims in action, said Fr. Mani, Director of National Commission for Justice and Peace.