House of Lords written question – answered at on 7 April 2014.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the death sentence imposed on Sawan Masih in Pakistan for the offence of blasphemy; and whether they have made representations to the government of Pakistan about the case.
As Senior Minister of State for Faith and Communities, with a personal commitment to freedom of religious belief I am very concerned to hear about this case and the imposition of the death penalty. We regularly raise the issue of the blasphemy laws, and their misuse against both Muslims and religious minorities at the highest levels in Pakistan. We continue to encourage interfaith dialogue and support those in Pakistan who are working for reform of the blasphemy laws. I have personally had frank discussions on issues of religious freedom with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. We have also consistently pressed the government of Pakistan on the issue of the death penalty and our principled opposition to it in all cases. Our concerns about this issue are documented in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Annual Human Rights Report and quarterly updates.
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