MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on Pakistan: murder of the governor of Punjab, Salmaan Taseer
18.1.2011
pursuant to Rule 122 of the Rules of Procedure
Karin Kadenbach on behalf of the S&D Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0041/2011
B7‑0061/2011
European Parliament resolution on Pakistan: murder of the governor of Punjab, Salmaan Taseer
The European Parliament,
- having regard to its resolution of 20 May 2010 on religious freedom in Pakistan,
- having regard to its resolution of 16 December 2010 on the Annual Report on Human Rights in the World 2009 and the European Union’s policy on the matter,
- having regard to the Council conclusions adopted on 16 November 2009 on freedom of religion or belief, in which it underlines the strategic importance of this freedom and of countering religious intolerance,
- having regard to the statement of 4 January 2011 by EU High Representative Catherine Ashton on the assassination of the governor of Punjab province, Salmaan Taseer,
- having regard to the statement of 4 January 2011 by UN secretary General Ban Ki-moon on the assassination of Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer,
- having regard to the statement of 19 November 2010 by European Parliament President Jerzy Buzek on the case of Asia Bibi in Pakistan,
- having regard to Rule 122(5) of its Rules of Procedure,
A. whereas Article 3(5) of the Treaty of the European Union states that the promotion of democracy and respect for human rights and civil liberties are fundamental principles and aims of the European Union and constitute common ground for its relations with third countries;
B. whereas the state religion of Pakistan is Sunni Islam, and minority religious groups consist of Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Shiites, Ahmadis, Buddhists, Parsis, Baha’is and others;
C. whereas the Fundamental Rights Chapter of the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan guarantees “freedom of profess religion and manage religious institutions” (Article 20,) equality of all citizens (Article 25) and the “legitimate rights and interests of minorities” (Article 26);
D. whereas, on the other hand, Article 260 of the Constitution differentiates between Muslims and non-Muslims, thereby allowing discrimination on the basis of religion;
E. whereas the Government of Pakistan, in 1982 and 1986, introduced legal provisions known as the “blasphemy laws” which undermine the fundamental religious and minority rights granted by the Constitution; whereas these laws prescribe the death sentence or lifelong imprisonment in cases of blasphemy;
F. whereas the blasphemy laws are misused by extremist groups and those wishing to settle personal scores, and have led to an increase of violence against members of religious minorities;
G. whereas the Government of Pakistan, in November 2010, announced its intention to amend the blasphemy law but, caving in to extremist pressure, on 30 December 2010 publicly announced that it had “no intention” to repeal or amend the blasphemy laws;
H. whereas the governor of Punjab province, Salmaan Taseer, on 4 January 2011 was brutally shot by one of his bodyguards who was reportedly enraged by the governor’s opposition to Pakistan’s blasphemy laws;
I. whereas on 8 November 2010, Asia Bibi became the first woman in Pakistan to be sentenced to death under the blasphemy laws; whereas the verdict was widely denounced, including by key members of the government, including Salmaan Taseer;
1. Strongly condemns the brutal assassination of Punjabi governor Salmaan Taseer by one of his bodyguards for calling for a reform of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws;
2. Urges the Pakistan authorities to bring the perpetrator of this crime rapidly to justice;
3. Urges the Government of Pakistan to review its decision regarding the reform of the blasphemy laws; calls on the Government to repeal these laws and other discriminatory legislation which are a relic of the past;
4. Expresses its deep concern that the blasphemy laws are open to misuse that affects people of all faiths in Pakistan; is convinced that these laws do not help building mutual understanding and peaceful relations between the ethnic and religious groups in the country;
5. Urges the government to fulfil its pledge to review and improve laws "detrimental
to religious harmony" as announced by the government in August 2009;
6. Is of the view that a positive amendment of the blasphemy laws could protect
innocent citizens – like Taseer – from similar fates in the future;
7. Calls on the Government of Pakistan to strongly counter any attempts by powerful
Islamic and media figures to play down the killing of Salmaan Taseer as being
responsible for his own death because he dared to challenge the blasphemy laws;
8. Urges the government to review the capital sentence of Asia Bibi who was found
guilty of blasphemy and sentenced to death on 8 November 2010 under Section
295B and 295C of Pakistan's Penal Code;
9. Reminds the Pakistan authorities of its strong opposition of the death penalty in all
circumstances which it considers the ultimate cruel, inhumane and degrading
punishment; calls for an immediate moratorium on all executions in the country, in
line with the worldwide trend to eventually abolish the death penalty;
10. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission,
the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the
governments and parliaments of the Member States, and the Government and
Parliament of Pakistan.