Europe and West should help Pakistan repeal blasphemy legislation
As he talked about the long list of violent episodes that has marred the life of Pakistan in recent months, including attacks against Christian communities and murders, Fr Many noted that attacks by fundamentalists and the ongoing bloodshed have “common traits”. The latest episode was reported in Charsadda, in northwestern Pakistan, where at least 35 people were killed and another 40 wounded.
“Organised groups are orchestrating a campaign of hatred and the government is unable to stop the blast of violence” caused by extremists and legalised by legislation that “fan hatred,” he said.
“The government and President Asif Ali Zardari are not really committed” to removing such laws. “There are no guidelines to reach that goal.”
In early October, when the president met Pope Benedict XVI, he reassured the Holy Father of his commitment to eliminate discriminations based on religion. Sadly, “the president makes promises when he is abroad, but does little or nothing at home,” the clergyman said.
No proposal to repeal the blasphemy laws has in fact been introduced in parliament, except for some initiatives by private members, including some Muslims. Only in Punjab Province did the governor talk about “abolishing” the laws, but his plans fell through right away.
“The NCJP has joined other civil society groups in a campaign to collect signatures to submit to the government. Muslims have joined as well,” he said. “We must work together with lawmakers and NGOs to abolish the law.”
Peter Jacob, NCJP executive director, spoke at the meeting and was positive by support among Muslims. He said, “After the violence in Gojra (where homes were set on fire and seven Christians burnt alive), some Muslims wrote a series of articles, which we have put together in a single volume; in them they talk about and denounce anti-Christian attacks.”
“Civil society wants to change,” the NCJP executive director noted, and a “common front” is emerging in the battle.”
Over the next few weeks, NCJP activists will travel to the Netherlands, France, Belgium and Germany to raise awareness among local Churches and societies about the blasphemy laws and the oppression of minorities in Pakistan, especially Christians.
AsiaNews has decided to join this campaign directly by publishing special reports and articles as well as testimonials about the violence and injustice.
For Fr Bernardo Cervellera, the campaign can provide ideas to Europe and the West, which are involved in an “exhausting war in Afghanistan” that it “cannot win by military might alone”. Instead, they “ need to approach the cultural problem of the relationship between Islam and modernity, Islam and coexistence with other religions and minorities.” What is more, “A reconciled Pakistan could have a beneficial influence also on the nearby Afghanistan,” he explained.
However, he does pull any punches, not even about Europe, whose “cultural relativism” shares some traits with Islamic fundamentalism.
To “eliminate all traces of Christian symbols and figures,” says Fr Cervellera, is possible, “in Pakistan with the blasphemy law, in Europe with a ‘blasphemy’” against attacks on relativist beliefs.” Yet, “In both cases, we propose coexistence between identities, without having to force anyone to hide their identity, the guarantee of being able to work with their faith for the advancement of peoples.”
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