Written question asked by Andy King (Labour) on Thursday, 2 December 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 14 December 2004. It was answered by Douglas Alexander (Labour) on Tuesday, 14 December 2004 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office;Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to the Government of Pakistan concerning the deaths in police custody of (a) Nasir Masih and (b) Samuel Masih.

Answer: Andy King: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Pakistan concerning the deaths in police custody of (a) Nasir Masih and (b) Samuel Masih. [203219] Mr. Alexander: The British Government takes a serious view of all violent incidents involving persecution and of all other forms of religious intolerance and discrimination in Pakistan. We believe that collective action through the European Union (EU) is the most effective way of tackling these issues. The last EU demarche to the Pakistani Government which expressed our concerns on Human Rights was in May this year. The case of Samuel Masih specifically was raised in this demarche. More recently our High Commission in Islamabad has contacted the Public Safety Commission where the incident involving Nasir Masih took place. An inquiry is taking place into this case and local officials have undertaken to keep our High Commission informed of developments and to ensure that, subject to inquiry findings, appropriate action is taken against the police involved.

Secondary information