Pakistan's Other Blemish: Anti-Religious Violence

"A climate of impunity is fostered by laws, such as the anti-Ahmadi and blasphemy laws, which not only violate religious freedom directly, but indirectly by energizing extremists who threaten the freedoms of all Pakistanis."

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch |
Source/Credit: US News | Politics
By Paul Bedard | May 2, 2011

Harboring terrorists like Osama bin Laden isn't Pakistan's only dark side, according to U.S. officials. The nation is also home to religiously-motivated violence against minorities, including Christians, says the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom.
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In their just-issued annual report, Pakistan is highlighted as one of 14 "countries of particular concern" by the group that reviews the international abuse of religious freedom. "In Pakistan, the government has similarly failed to protect religious minorities, from Sufi and Shi'a Muslims to Ahmadis and Christians, from religiously-motivated violence, or to bring the perpetrators to justice. A climate of impunity is fostered by laws, such as the anti-Ahmadi and blasphemy laws, which not only violate religious freedom directly, but indirectly by energizing extremists who threaten the freedoms of all Pakistanis," said the commission. [See photos of reactions to Osama bin Laden's death.]

"Pakistan continues to be responsible for systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of freedom of religion or belief," added the commission.

It recommends that Washington press Islamabad to tighten control of those who attack religious minorities. Read the full report here.


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