Archbishop deplores blasphemy decision

BY STAFF REPORTER
THE HEAD of the Catholic Church in Pakistan has expressed outrage at the government’s decision to withdraw a private member’s bill proposing changes in the country’s blasphemy law, calling it “an act of surrender”.
Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha of Lahore, president of the country’s Catholic bishops’ conference, told the Asian church news agency UCA News: “It’s a mistake giving in to pressure by Islamic parties... The government has totally caved in and there seems no prospect of changes in the controversial legislation in the near future.” Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani told the national assembly that the government never intended to change the law and had disbanded the committee reviewing it.
The premier also said that Sherry Rehman, the senior Pakistan People’s Party leader who introduced the bill, had decided to withdraw it.
The decision comes in the wake of the assassination of the Governor Salman Taseer of Punjab, a vocal critic of the blasphemy law. Reports suggested that Miss Rehman had received death threats for introducing the bill.
“I have no other option but to abide by my party’s decision,” Miss Rehman said. “The bill was not aiming to repeal the law, but to better protect our great Prophet Mohammed’s name against injustices. Policies to please extremists will be harmful.” Archbishop Saldanha agreed with the last point.
“Improving the law will bring more honour and respect to the prophet and the country. The poor and Christians have suffered a lot, even students are now afraid to speak, discuss or write about the prophet,” he said.
The blasphemy law makes an insult to the Koran an offence punishable by up to life imprisonment, and the death penalty for anyone convicted of insulting Mohammed.
Christians insist the law is being abused for personal gain and to harass non-Muslims.
The Centre for Legal Aid, Assistance and Settlement (Claas) an organisation which helps persecuted Christians in Pakistan, indicated it was “extremely disappointed” by Miss Rehman’s decision.
Nasir Saeed, the group coordinator, said: “The Pakistani government has now proved itself incapable of seeking equal rights from religious minorities and unwilling to work towards amending the draconian blasphemy law. It is sadly a sign of how far from democratic values and religious tolerance Pakistan is.
“Persecuted Christians in Pakistan deserve to be heard, and they deserve the rights enjoyed by others in their own country. We will continue to put pressure on the Pakistani government to change this law and its unfair application.” Attempts to repeal Pakistan’s blasphemy law have come in the wake of the trial of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman convicted of blasphemy and sentenced to death by hanging late last year.
The case is awaiting a hearing before an appeals court. Human rights groups have attacked the verdict and Pope Benedict has requested her release.
Mr Taseer was killed by one of his own bodyguards at the beginning of last month for filing a mercy petition for Asia Bibi and for his criticism of the blasphemy law.
Over 40,000 people met in Lahore to protest against any change to the blasphemy law, burning effigies of Pope Benedict and Shahbaz Bhatti, the Catholic minister for minorities, as well as the cross. Archbishop Saldanha said: “We dissociate ourselves from every act of violence and we demand respect for all sacred symbols, whatever the religion.” Claas wrote to Pakistan’s president seeking assurances that Mrs Bibi would receive justice. Wajid Shamsul Hasan, the High Commissioner replied saying the president had been advised to grant clemency, but was unable to do so.