Christian Persecution Update

ASIA/PAKISTAN - Bomb in front of a madrasa: the Church calls for the end to violence and peace

Quetta (Agenzia Fides) - A bomb exploded today outside the gate of an Islamic religious school (madrasa) in Quetta, capital of the Pakistani province of Baluchistan. The toll of the powerful explosion caused 15 victims and 51 wounded, including several young students and some children, transported to hospitals in the city. "Sectarian violence and terrorism are rampant. We condemn such actions that kill innocent people and have an absolute disregard for human life. As Christians we continue to demand an end to violence," commented Fr. Inayat Gill, OMI, pro-Vicar Apostolic of Quetta in an interview with Fides. "It is urgent to re-establish full respect for the dignity and human rights in this province, where the social and political context is so difficult and delicate" added the pro-Vicar. "Every Sunday we pray intensely for peace and justice." The province of Baluchistan has been at the center of national political debate for months, as there is sectarian violence in recent years which has caused more than 550 terrorist acts, while more than 100,000 people have fled the province because of insecurity and disorder. Violence is of a social and political nature, and touches the relationship between the major community, the Baloch Sunni Muslims and the minority community, the Hazara of Muslim Shiite religion. For about 40 years in the province, rich in natural resources, there has been an active nationalist guerrilla, to which the government responds with a massive military budget, the "Frontier Corps". The Christians in the district of Quetta are, overall about 70 thousand, including about 40 thousand Catholics, mostly immigrants from other parts of the country. The Christian community generally is not involved or affected by violence. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 08/06/2012)

ASIA/PAKISTAN - Human rights and religious minorities: Pakistan under observation

Islamabad (Agenzia Fides) - Increase efforts to protect human rights, enact laws on crucial issues such as torture, education and women's rights: is what the Pakistani government has asked the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, at the conclusion of a four-day visit to the country (4-7 June). "All the rights must be guaranteed to all people in Pakistan, regardless of their sex, religion, social group," she remarked, noting that Pakistan has made some progress, but "has a long way to go in other areas", for a greater respect for human rights, in particular with regard to religious minorities. Yesterday Navi Pillay also had a direct meeting with Paul Bhatti, Special Adviser to the Prime Minister for National Harmony, discussing the issues that touch, in particular, religious minorities and social programs. As reported to Fides, Bhatti said that "the government is taking all possible measures to tackle problems like poverty, illiteracy and intolerance" and called on the international community to cooperate with Pakistan "to establish peace, to promote religious harmony." Bhatti recalled the existence of a "National Commission for Religious Minorities" and his work in the Ministry for National Harmony, which was born to alleviate the problems between "majority minority". Pillay praised the government's efforts for the protection of minorities, in favour of "programs of study scholarships abroad for Pakistani students."
In recent days, after a debate that lasted for months, the Pakistan president Ali Zardari signed the decree establishing the "National Commission on Human Rights," which will be tasked to monitor the situation, promote special investigation in the field of human rights. The Commission, which will be renewed every four years, will consist of 10 members: a president, one representative from each of the four Provinces and of the two Territories in which the nation is divided; two members of religious minorities; the president of the National Commission on the Status of women. At least two Commission members must be women. As learned by Fides, the Catholic Church and civil society have welcomed the step taken by the Pakistani government, hoping that "the new institution will serve to really improve the standard of protection of human rights in the country." (PA) (Agenzia Fides 08/06/2012)

ASIA/PAKISTAN - False accusations: a Christian pastor in prison accused of fraud

Lahore (Agenzia Fides) - The Protestant Christian Pastor Mehboob Yaqoob was arrested and charged with fraud by police in Lahore. The Pastor is the victim of deception and was denounced and dragged in on false charges by a group of people, some Muslims and a Christian who wanted to hit him. The police, informed sources of Fides, abused and mistreated him and there are strong concerns that he could be further maltreated in prison. The Pastor, 40 years of age, has a wife and three children, he was leading a Pentecostal Christian community in Lahore. The organization LEAD ("Legal Evangelical Association Development ") has mobilized for him and is trying to help him, by removing the charges. The LEAD defends the rights of Christians by providing free legal assistance. "What is being done to Pastor Mehboob is an instrumental attack and persecutory. But the police did not want to listen to reason. When a Christian is involved in a legal proceeding, the road to prove his innocence is always very difficult. We hope and pray for him and his family," said to Fides Pastor Mushtaq Gill, head of LEAD. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 08/06/2012)

 

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