Committee Hearing Opening Statements
Smith Unveils Bipartisan Resolution on Religious Freedom in PakistanPromotion of Religious Rights Is Key to Country’s Stability and Peace
U.S. Rep. Smith, an executive member of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, unveiled a resolution at a Commission hearing today that recognizes the importance of inter-religious dialogue and the protection of religious freedom in Pakistan.
Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), an executive member of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, unveiled a resolution at a Commission hearing today that recognizes the importance of inter-religious dialogue and the protection of religious freedom in Pakistan.While H. Res. 764 (click here to read the resolution) notes improvements over the past year, it highlights August attacks by Islamic radicals against minorities and the need to do more to protect minorities. The attacks that resulted in the killing of six Christians, including one child and four women, the injury of 18 others, and the looting and burning of at least 40 Christian homes. The resolution, which is co-sponsored by Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA), has been referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs for consideration. "This resolution proposes several concrete measures to ensure respect for religious freedom," said Smith, a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and a nominated U.S. Representative to the United Nations. "It calls for the strengthening of institutions crucial to Pakistan’s democratic development, support for exchange programs with the United States, and the establishment of textbook and curriculum standards that promote respect for diverse religious beliefs. The resolution stresses the importance of protecting the religious freedom of all Pakistanis, preventing religiously motivated and sectarian violence, and the punishment of the perpetrators of such violence."(For the Congressman’s full remarks to the commission, click here.) Smith said the Pakistani government has taken measures to improve freedoms, including the appointment of the first cabinet-level official on religious minorities, Minister for Minorities Affairs Shahbaz Bhatti. It has also allocated a five percent quota in the federal workforce for members of minority religious groups, and recognized minority religious holidays, including Christmas. "Minister Bhatti and the Pakistani Government need the moral support of the United States to pursue their efforts to establish religious harmony in the country," Smith told the commission, noting that Bhatti had survived three assassination attempts. "It is in our own interest to provide such support, not only for the primary cause of promoting human rights, but also to ensure the stability of this important ally by establishing a tolerant society that precludes militancy and terrorism." Smith pointed out that positive steps have recently been taken to promote religious freedom in Pakistan. Within the past week Congress approved an increase in aid to Pakistan to $1.5 billion per year over the next five years for democratic, social and development programs, including the promotion of religious freedom and the protection of ethnic and religious minorities. With a population of about 176 million, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is 95 percent Muslim, but also has a multi-religious society comprised of Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Baha’is and other faiths. Additionally, Pakistani Prime Minister Gilani has expressed support for reviewing the blasphemy laws for which prescribed penalties include life imprisonment and the death penalty. These laws, which have been used by extremist groups to trigger sectarian violence and intimidate members of minority religions for political ends, threaten Pakistani and United States national security interests in the region. This resolution recognizes the positive work of the Pakistani government and expresses support for civil society institutions that work to uphold and guarantee religious freedom. It also urges the government of Pakistan to prevent religiously motivated violence, and review legislation that discriminates on the basis of religion or belief. |