Dear Maria Carmela,
Thank you for your email and apologies for the delayed reply. Jean is very aware and active on the situation of the blasphemy laws, having raised this a number of times in meetings with the Pakistani Ambassador to the EU, NGOs and other individuals.
As you would be aware, the blasphemy laws have been, and have the potential to be abused in convicting innocent civilians. More worrying is the death penalty that these convictions can carry. Jean is concerned about the continuing case of Asia Bibi, as well the numerous other Muslims, Hindus, Christians and other religions that are susceptible to these laws.
The European Parliament recently adopted a report on Pakistan's regional role where it:
"27. Reiterates its deep concern that Pakistan’s blasphemy laws – which can carry the death sentence and are often used to justify censorship, criminalisation, persecution and, in certain cases, the murder of members of political and religious minorities – are open to a misuse that affects people of all faiths in Pakistan; underlines that the refusal to reform or repeal the blasphemy laws creates an environment of persistent vulnerability for minority communities; calls on the Pakistani government to implement a moratorium on the use of these laws, as a first step towards revising or revoking them, and to investigate and prosecute, as appropriate, campaigns of intimidation, threats, and violence against Christians, Ahmadis, and other vulnerable groups;"
You can find the full text of the report attached. Thank you again for raising this important issue.
Best regards,
Poonam Datar
Office of Jean Lambert, Green MEP for London
European Parliament
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&reference=A7-2014-0117&format=XML&language=EN
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