Written question asked by David Atkinson (Conservative) on Thursday, 8 February 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 13 February 2001. It was answered by Brian Wilson (Labour) on Tuesday, 13 February 2001 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he intends to make to the Pakistani authorities over the use of the blasphemy laws in Pakistan; what recent representations he has made to the Pakistani authorities concerning the use of blasphemy laws.

Answer: Mr. David Atkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what representations he intends to make to the Pakistani authorities over the use of the blasphemy laws in Pakistan; [150210] (2) what recent representations he has made to the Pakistani authorities concerning the use of blasphemy laws. [150211] Mr. Wilson: We remain concerned at reports that Pakistan's blasphemy laws continue to be abused. We have repeatedly raised our concerns with the Pakistani authorities and have called for the abolition of the death penalty under the law, or for them to be repealed. Most recently, an ad hoc EU Troika mission visited Pakistan on 20-21 November and raised these concerns with the Pakistani authorities.

Secondary information