Verbatim report of proceedings

Thursday, 17 April 2014 - Strasbourg

Pakistan: recent cases of persecution

  Zita Gurmai (S&D). - Mr President, the recent cases of persecution on the grounds of blasphemy for belonging to a religious minority are highly disturbing. Despite the measures taken by the Pakistani Government in 2008, the day-to-day situation of religious minorities remains extremely precarious. The cases mentioned in the resolution demonstrate serious breaches of freedom of thought, conscience and religion. Moreover, the situation of women and girls facing forced marriage and honour killing is unacceptable.

I therefore strongly agree with the content of this resolution. The Pakistani Government needs to seriously increase its efforts through two main challenges: firstly a change in the legislation backed by a strong political will to ensure not only prevention of crimes directed at religious minorities but also prosecution of the perpetrators of those crimes.

Secondly, and especially when it comes to the situation of women, significant improvements need to be made in the field of education, starting with religious schools. Otherwise whole generations of women and girls are going to be sacrificed.