Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2010-05-20-Speech-4-233"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2010-05-20"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:Religious freedom in Pakistan2
dcterms:Language	"nl"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20100520.21.4-233"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2010-05-20-Speech-4-2342
lpv:speaker	lp:Bas Belder2
lpv:spokenAs	chair; Delegation for relations with Israel (2009-09-17--2014-06-30)3 substitute; BUDG (2009-07-16--2012-01-18)3 substitute; INTA (2009-07-16--2011-06-16)3 vice-chair_member_of_the_bureau; EFD (2010-02-16--2011-05-22)3 member; AFET (2009-07-16--2012-01-18)3 member; Conference of Delegation Chairs (2009-09-17--2014-06-30)3 member; Delegation for relations with Iran (2009-09-16--2012-02-14)3 substitute; Delegation for relations with the United States (2009-09-16--2014-06-30)3 unknown; Staatkundig Gereformeerde Partij (2009-12-07--2014-06-30)3 member; Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean (2009-09-16--2014-06-30)3
lpv:translated text	"When the state of Pakistan was established in 1947, its founder, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, said these memorable words: ‘We are starting with the fundamental principle that we are all citizens and equal citizens of one State.’ These are empty words these days, especially for the estimated 15 million Christians living in Pakistan. They are surrounded by a pervasive atmosphere of intimidation and threat, both in the cities and in the countryside, and even in the capital, Islamabad. Sadly enough, the Pakistani legal system condones the precarious position of the country’s indigenous Christians. This is the result of the historical process of creeping Islamification of Pakistani society since the late 1970s which has led to the alarming deterioration in the legal status of Pakistan’s Christian community. In specific terms, we are talking about the testimonies and blasphemy laws of the 1980s, legal instruments which have effectively outlawed Christianity, as testimony given by a non-Muslim in a trial is worth only half as much as testimony given by a Muslim – and that is if the judge wishes to hear evidence from a Christian in the first place! The blasphemy laws pose even more danger to Pakistani Christians. They prescribe life imprisonment for desecration of the Qur’an and the death sentence for derogatory remarks about Islam and the Prophet Mohammed. In short, a Christian in Pakistan can suddenly end up on death row if any Muslim testifies against him! Madam President, ladies and gentlemen, that has created an almost unbearable atmosphere of fear and uncertainty. Hundreds of Pakistani Christians vegetate in prison for years without access to any legal process. I therefore urge the Council and the Commission to link any form of aid to the Pakistani Government to the urgent abolition of this pernicious discrimination against the country’s religious minorities."@en1
lpv:videoURI	<go to Events_and_structure europarl>2

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