Islamabad “uses terrorism against minorities".
Rome (AsiaNews) - The war on terrorism and the identity of Pakistan "are two powerful excuses with which the government of the country opposes the repeal of blasphemy laws and other regulations that discriminate against non-Muslims. But the pronouncements of the European Union and those in Washington on the subject make us realize that we are not alone in our struggle". Says Peter Jacob, secretary general of the Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace Pakistan, visiting Europe, in an interview with AsiaNews.
The laws mentioned are the blasphemy law, which punishes with death anyone who desecrates Muhammad and the Koran, and the Hudood Ordinances, a set of rules that require certain behaviour in line with religious teachings. The blasphemy law is actually the worst instrument of religious repression in Pakistan. According to the figures of Justice and Peace from 1986 to August 2009 at least 964 people were indicted for having defiled the Koran or defaming the Prophet Muhammad. Among these, 479 were Muslims, 119 Christians, 340 Ahmadis, 14 Hindu and 10 other members of other religions. It also provides a pretext for attacks, personal vendettas or extra-judicial killings: 33 in all, made by individuals or angry crowds.
Dr. Jacob, what is the purpose of this visit in Europe?
We just returned from Geneva, where we attended the Pakistan Support Group: This is a network of international groups operating under the aegis of the United Nations. We meet once a year to discuss problems facing our country: this time, the main points were the laws of religious discrimination and the problem of education, increasingly interconnected extremism. The new School Act is essentially identical to the old, and discriminates against non-Muslims, putting wrong and dangerous messages in lessons and in textbooks.
With regard to religious laws, are there any changes from the government?
Ours is a parliamentary democracy, and Prime Minister Gilani attends these matters. Parliamentarians are very frightened by the religious question, and the extremist lobby is pushing working very hard to uphold these laws. I do not think much can change in a short time, these are laws that require time to be changed.
But Pakistan has, on paper, a secular Constitution. What can the international community do to help?
Recent resolutions expressed by the European Union and several statements by the U.S. administration make us realize that the world follows the issue of discriminatory laws very closely. But putting pressure on our government to do something concrete is not very easy, because Islamabad has a series of excuses to maintain its position. On the one hand, the fight against terrorism, which requires the country to maintain a state of emergency and, therefore, do nothing. On the other hand there is the question of identity in Pakistan: although we have a secular constitution and laws, the political parties are pushing to keep the situation as it stands in the name of Islam.
What is the Catholic Church doing in this battle?
We strive to make our voice heard in every way, especially in the international arena. Fortunately, this battle against discrimination is shared by many sectors of civil society in Pakistan. We hope that sooner or later the day will come when even the government understands the futility and cruelty of these laws, and do something to improve the situation.
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