Further reporting here and here.Zardari promises Pope to overcome discrimination caused by religion.
The "need" to promote respect for the rights of all citizens in talks between the President and Benedict XVI. In Islamabad, meanwhile, it is announced that Christian organizations in the country have called for a national conference on October 24 to demand the abolition of the blasphemy law.
Vatican City (AsiaNews) – The ‘need’ to overcome all forms of discrimination based on religion emerged from meetings today between the President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, and Pope Benedict XVI in Castel Gandolfo and Secretary of State cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, who was accompanied by the Secretary for Relations with States, Msgr. Dominique Mamberti. Echoing this statement is news from Islamabad that the Pakistan Christian organizations have called for a national conference on October 24 to demand the abolition of the blasphemy law.
A statement released by the Vatican Press Office states that " The cordial discussions provided an opportunity to examine the current situation in Pakistan, with particular reference to the fight against terrorism and the commitment to create a society more tolerant and harmonious in all its aspects. Talk then turned to the positive role played by the Catholic Church - continues the statement - in the social life of the country through her educational, healthcare and aid activities. Evoking recent episodes of violence against Christian communities in some localities, and the elements that have favoured such serious incidents, emphasis was given to the need to overcome all forms of discrimination based on religious affiliation, with the aim of promoting respect for the rights of all citizens".
The same argument was also addressed by Zardari in his talks with Italian politicians, in which the Pakistani president said the government of his country will take steps against the abuse of the blasphemy law. Moreover, on 18 September, during a state visit to London, Zardari had promised greater government vigilance, but human rights organizations in Pakistan say the president's words remain an unrealistic goal that ignores the reality of the situation.
The law, created to defend against offenses against Islam and the Prophet, has become an instrument of discrimination and predatory violence. The event promoted by the CCP Christian is called All Parties Conference and was created to coordinate the efforts of all Christian groups who are calling for the abolition of Article 295, paragraph b and c of the Penal Code. On 24 October, to facilitate the participation of as many people as possible, the initiative will be held simultaneously in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.
The National Commission for Justice and Peace of the Catholic Church (NCJP) states that "the country's Christian community continues to live in fear and insecurity" and cites the most recent cases of abuse of the law arguing that the authorities undertake investigations without decision or results.
In the district of Sialkot and the village of Gojra, Punjab, investigations and the trials are blocked. The NCJP says that over the last five days no progress has been made to see justice done for the Christians killed and assaulted there. Local Pakistani sources say that in Gojra, a village in which eight Christians were burned to death in early August, the provincial administration and police are covering up the affair so as not to risk public disorder. The Commission adds that "some of those detained over the violence have been released on bail by the Anti-Terrorism Court”.
There is a similar situation in the district of Sialkot, home to Fanish Robert, the 20 year old Christian who was killed in prison September 14 two days after his arrest for blasphemy. The family of the young man had to leave their home in Jethikey for security reasons and only returned on 24 September. Now they are asking the authorities to transfer the remains of their son to his village of origin. The funeral and burial of Fanish were to have taken place in Sialkot to avoid anti-Christian episodes, but were marred by police intervention to "prevent further unrest”.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Pope Challenges Pakistan over Christian Murders & Blasphemy Laws
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3 comments:
Kieschnick-Pres. of the Lutheran Church M.S--where are you~!!!!!?
This annihilation of Christians has been going on for a looooooong time...
Didn't there used to be Popes who put on armor and rode into battle against these thugs? We need one of those now. Would someone please get Benedict an armoured HUMVEE and some state-of-the-art weaponry and turn him loose on Istanbul?
And don'tcha just love Zardari telling the Italians he's going to work against the "abuse" of that blasphemy law? The law itself is the "abuse". It is a fundamental abuse of freedom of thought and speech created by those who believe their own fear gives them the right to control the thoughts of other people.
The late great Fallaci had me almost believing we would see the German Shepherd baring his teeth at these savages and protecting his own people. Still waiting.
And Another Thing...
I'm afraid to post this on the Gay Rights comments below because if I go back there I will probably rip "MEP" such a big new one that s/he will be qualified to train as an Islamist butt bomber.
Today beautiful 21-year-old Elizabeth Smart had to testify about her repeated rape by a "street preacher" freak named David Mitchell who dragged her to parties in his own holy version of hijab and nobody ever thought to question this "man of god" about what he was doing with a young girl in a veil? Why did I see the same sort of defference shown to an endless line of predatory cult leaders during 20 years of investigation?
Today Danish cartoonist Kurt Westergaard, speaking from hiding during a visit to Manhattan because of death threats from Muslims, told said Muslims they are not "free of being mocked or being offended".
Today the Pope of all people had to politely ask the president of a shithole like Turkey if he would please be so kind as to try to prevent his good Muslim citizens from murdering Christians for nothing other than being Christians.
Today there is a self-proclaimed satanist high priest running around loose in the US intelligence structure who has gotten away with child sexual slavery among other outrages for decades because no one wants to offend his "religion".
And today some idiot in the comments for the post below this one chided me for allegedly not having a moral compass because I do not share his/her "faith".
When is someone in Western Civilization -- ourselves excluded because make this cry in the wilderness all the time -- going to tell people that the fact that they believe in a religion gives them NO WHATSOFRICKING EVER RIGHT TO INTIMIDATE, SILENCE, VIOLATE, THREATEN TO OR ACTUALLY HARM ANOTHER HUMAN BEING?
No wonder we are staring down the road at nuclear apocalypse being started by a bunch of Shiite 12th Imam Mahdi freaks because no one has the stones to tell them that if they try it they can kiss Mecca and Medina goodbye? And if the Saudis don't like that they can just ban anyone who supports the Jihad from attending the Hejira next year.
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