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Pakistan: Blasphemy Laws

Answer

We have not directly raised the protection of prisoners accused under blasphemy legislation with the Government of Pakistan. However, our close working relationship with Pakistan includes co-operation on judicial issues and sharing expertise on good practice. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Justice are in the process of hosting a visit to the UK by senior Pakistani government officials. While the primary focus of the visit will be on prisoner transfer matters, the visit will also share UK training practice with prison authorities in Pakistan. Such exchanges are an opportunity to improve prison standards for all prisoners in Pakistan in accordance with international human rights standards. Officials in London and Islamabad regularly meet with representatives of civil society and human rights organisations to monitor the treatment of minorities and inform our policy more widely. For example, our high commission in Islamabad recently met the Bishop of Lahore's chaplain for prisoners. We will continue to encourage Pakistan to fulfil commitments under the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). We have welcomed Pakistan's decision to ratify the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and to sign the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as the Convention Against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. We look forward to early implementation of these instruments, which we believe should safeguard the rights of minorities in Pakistan.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

175; 706 c229WA

Session

2008-09

Related items

Pakistan: Blasphemy Laws
Wednesday, 11 February 2009
Written questions
House of Lords

Subjects

Blasphemy Protection Prisoners Pakistan Religious freedom

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk