Sunday, October 11, 2009

Sherry condemns Gojra killings, calls for revisiting laws

Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Islamabad

Former federal minister for information & broadcasting Sherry Rehman has strongly condemned the Gojra killings, describing it as a serious crime against the citizens of Pakistan by religious zealots.

According to news reports, hundreds of Muslims, spurred by a banned militant group, attacked a Christian neighbourhood in Gojra near Faisalabad on Saturday, burning dozens of houses after reports surfaced that some Christians had desecrated the Holy Book.

�Minorities� rights and security is the State�s responsibility and we need to urgently revisit laws and structures that encourage discriminatory acts and incite violence against them,� said Sherry Rehman expressing her condolences to the families, who lost their relatives during the weekend riots.

Sherry Rehman observed that the Christian community was attacked following a rumour about the alleged desecration of Holy Quran. �Of course, there was no truth in it. What is shocking, however, is that the whole episode was hijacked by a banned extremist outfit that actively participated in the massacre of our fellow citizens,� she said and added, �This is a dangerous development since it demonstrates how little space is needed for abuse of vulnerable communities by anti-state forces.�

Sherry Rehman backed the calls for greater protection of minorities. �We, as a nation, stand by the affected families and support their demand for the security of their lives, assets and rights. It is also important that the elements responsible for brutalities against the Christian community, whether they are directly involved in such attacks or indirectly support these criminal acts by way of promoting radicalism, be brought to book. As public representatives and members of the state, we have a duty to press for constitutional, political and social reforms to facilitate a violence-free environment for our citizens, and we must deliver on our mandate for domestic peace, internal security and national integration.�

�PPP has always sought to protect the minorities, but it is General Zia�s black laws that are used to target innocent civilians on trumped-up ruses. Nobody should demonise what is sacred to another, and Islam is clear on this issue, but nobody must be allowed to exploit and misuse laws, such as the Blasphemy Law, which were ordered into law by a dictator, who politicised religion to make up for his own lack of legitimacy,� she said.

Sherry said these laws must be re-opened and amended if not repealed, as the state has existing laws to deal with all crimes. �Why must we continue to beat our minorities with a very anti-religious law? Islam does not allow misuse of its teachings to oppress and target people,� she said.

(The News)

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