US report criticises Pakistan on lack of religious freedom

[Shamraz_Khan]

I can’t say this criticism isn’t fair b/c persecution of minorities is officially sanctioned by the state.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-123743-US-report-criticises-Pakistan-on-lack-of-religious-freedom

US report criticises Pakistan on lack of religious freedom

Wajid Ali Syed
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
From Print Edition

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WASHINGTON: A State Department report on Religious Freedom on Monday cited Pakistan for issuing death sentences for blasphemy cases.

It also criticised the absence of law and order commenting that despite increased extremist attacks on religious minorities or even tolerant Muslims, authorities have rarely investigated the perpetrators.

The report particularly highlighted blasphemy and religious defamation laws. It said the situation deteriorated as the government practised limited freedom of religion, particularly for members of religious minority groups.

The report also mentioned Aasia Bibi, killing of Salman Taseer, and the assassination of Minister for Minority Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti. It said that “abuses continued under the blasphemy law and other discriminatory laws, such as “anti-Ahmadi laws” and the government did not take adequate measures to prevent these incidents from happening or reform the laws to prevent abuses.”

It adds: “Since the government rarely investigated or prosecuted the perpetrators of extremist attacks on religious minorities and members of the Muslim majority promoting tolerance, the number of attacks increased and the climate of impunity continued.”

There were instances in which law enforcement personnel reportedly abused persons belonging to religious minorities in custody, the report highlighted. It said that the government just once took steps to improve religious freedom by creating a ministry of national harmony after devolution of the ministry of minorities. The report also criticised China, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Iran, Afghanistan and North Korea.

[Captain1]

Re: US report criticises Pakistan on lack of religious freedom

Not that two wrongs make it right, but what did US report say about Saudi Arabia? France?

EDIT: I see KSA is also criticized, any word about France?

[rangoli]

Re: US report criticises Pakistan on lack of religious freedom

@Captain1

Not that two wrongs make it right, but what did US report say about Saudi Arabia? France?

EDIT: I see KSA is also criticized, any word about France? :smokin:

latest word on France is that they sacked two muslim camp workers over fasting
French summer camp workers sacked over Ramadan fast - Yahoo! News Canada

[Med911]

Re: US report criticises Pakistan on lack of religious freedom

@Captain1

Not that two wrongs make it right, but what did US report say about Saudi Arabia? France?

EDIT: I see KSA is also criticized, any word about France?

While I’m no fan of French laws, at least the discrimination there applies to all religious groups and not directed specifically at any one group (at least on paper).

[BarbieCue]

Re: US report criticises Pakistan on lack of religious freedom

I can't say this criticism isn't fair b/c persecution of minorities is officially sanctioned by the state.

Fair and true indeed. But what does the moral authority have to say about the fact that hate crime against muslims has risen by 50% in the span of a year, as per the FBI? Inciting hatred is officially sanctioned under the constitutional right to freedom of speech.

[Med911]

Re: US report criticises Pakistan on lack of religious freedom

Fair and true indeed. But what does the moral authority have to say about the fact that hate crime against muslims has risen by 50% in the span of a year, as per the FBI? Inciting hatred is officially sanctioned under the constitutional right to freedom of speech.

Free speech applies to everyone. If someone incites hatred towards you, you also have the right to incite hatred toward them. So for example, the KKK can march in washington, but then so can an Anti KKK march be held at the same venue (with police in between).

In Pakistan, rights are apportioned according to your religious affiliation. Ahmadis for example, do not share equal rights with Sunnis.

You see the difference? In America, rights apply equally. In Pakistan, rights apply selectively.

Crimes against Muslims we're barely heard of prior to 9/11. Ofcourse that doesn't justify anything, however, the constitution does not legitimize such crimes as it does in Pakistan, and American Muslim do have access to justice. There is a difference between hate crimes committed by the public, and official sanction for such hatred by the govt.

[BarbieCue]

Re: US report criticises Pakistan on lack of religious freedom

Right. Hating everyone equally makes you much better than hating on certain groups only.

[Captain1]

Re: US report criticises Pakistan on lack of religious freedom

While I'm no fan of French laws, at least the discrimination there applies to all religious groups and not directed specifically at any one group (at least on paper).

that makes them acceptable as 'no religious persecution'?

[Med911]

Re: US report criticises Pakistan on lack of religious freedom

@Captain1

that makes them acceptable as ‘no religious persecution’?

I suppose you could say that Religion itself is persecuted by the Secular French State, but not any particular religious group.

Even so, the “persecution” in this case is entirely subjective. One mans idea of persecution is another mans affirmation of French Secularism, or a rallying point for Muslim feminists.

Personally I think the Burqa ban is a bit much, but then the Burqa is controversial even among many Muslims. In fact, some of the proponents of the ban happened to be Muslims themselves.

In Support of the Burqa Ban – Nabiha Meher Sheikh

[Ghost14]

Re: US report criticises Pakistan on lack of religious freedom

KSA is run by bigots. That France and Europe has become more conservative does not mean that the policies in Pakistan are justified.

[Shamraz_Khan]

Re: US report criticises Pakistan on lack of religious freedom

Fair and true indeed. But what does the moral authority have to say about the fact that hate crime against muslims has risen by 50% in the span of a year, as per the FBI? Inciting hatred is officially sanctioned under the constitutional right to freedom of speech.

The diff is the US govt actually prosecutes those responsible for the crimes against Muslims, (or anyone else) where persecution against minorities is officially sanctioned in Pakistan; killers of minorities are rarely ever brought to justice, if at all.

[Captain1]

Re: US report criticises Pakistan on lack of religious freedom

@Med911

I suppose you could say that Religion itself is persecuted by the Secular French State, but not any particular religious group.

Even so, the “persecution” in this case is entirely subjective. One mans idea of persecution is another mans affirmation of French Secularism, or a rallying point for Muslim feminists.

Personally I think the Burqa ban is a bit much, but then the Burqa is controversial even among many Muslims. In fact, some of the proponents of the ban happened to be Muslims themselves.
In Support of the Burqa Ban – Nabiha Meher Sheikh « CHUP! – Changing Up Pakistan

There will always be people ‘gawah chust madyee sust’ or ‘begaani shaadi mai Abdullah deewana’, people wanting to be ‘westernized’ but does that mean we equate them with ‘government laws’?

[Med911]

Re: US report criticises Pakistan on lack of religious freedom

Right. Hating everyone equally makes you much better than hating on certain groups only.

Well its equality of expression. All are free to express their oppinion regardless of who they are, or what their opponion may be. This is not the case in Pak where only Muslims are allowed to express their oppinion, and minorities are thrown in prison.

[Med911]

Re: US report criticises Pakistan on lack of religious freedom

There will always be people 'gawah chust madyee sust' or 'begaani shaadi mai Abdullah deewana', people wanting to be 'westernized' but does that mean we equate them with 'government laws'?

Westernizes is such a cliche. These are people who are simply liberal or progressive

[Med911]

Re: US report criticises Pakistan on lack of religious freedom

There will always be people 'gawah chust madyee sust' or 'begaani shaadi mai Abdullah deewana', people wanting to be 'westernized' but does that mean we equate them with 'government laws'?

My point is that whether its oppression or not in France, is a matter of opinion. However, there really is no comparison between France and Pakistan. The degree of religious injustice is beyond comparison.

[CM]

Re: US report criticises Pakistan on lack of religious freedom

The day racism is defended in the name of secular ideology one has to rethink the basic definition of human rights.

[Med911]

Re: US report criticises Pakistan on lack of religious freedom

@CM

The day racism is defended in the name of secular ideology one has to rethink the basic definition of human rights.

Who said I defended it?