Several martyrs were remembered in the House of Commons on a night of reflection and determination to bring to fruition the legacy of their sacrifice.
The event hosted by the All Parliamentary Party Group (APPG) for Minorities in Pakistan saw the coming together of senior humanitarians working on the
human rights deficit in Pakistan. The event was titled “A Martyr’s Blood – Shahbaz Bhatti Remembrance Day” and was held a few days after the fifth anniversary
of Shahbaz Bhatti’s death and was presided over by Jim Shannon MP, APPG Chairman.
A range of guest speakers focused on the work of Shahbaz Bhatti who ultimately sacrificed his own life. He was shot by his own bodyguards who fired 27
bullets at his moving vehicle, in one of Pakistan’s most traumatic events. The murder shocked the world as images of the sheer brutality surfaced. Moreover
secret footage in which Shahbaz Bhatti spoke of his impending murder by religious fanatics, highlighted the reality of widespread extremism in Pakistan.
Shahbaz Bhatti refused to give up on calling for freedom for Asia Bibi, Pakistan’s most famous blasphemy law victim and called for reform of Pakistan’s
draconian blasphemy laws. It was his determined stance that resulted in designs for his murder. The killers, who escaped the clutches of Pakistani police
despite initial arrests, have never been brought to justice.
Guest speakers at the memorial included:
- John Bosco, PMRO Information Secretary
- Wilson Chowdhry, BPCA Chairman
- Mrs. Shamim David, Social Activist
- Stuart Windsor, CSW Special Ambassador
- Asif Mall, PMRO Chairman
Wilson Chowdhry spoke of how he had met Shahbaz Bhatti twice in London and was moved by his passion and determination. He then described the need for those working on human rights inPakistan to redouble their efforts, as little if any improvement has occurred despite the huge sacrifice made by Shahbaz Bhatti. In many areas Pakistan has regressed and blasphemy allegations are increasing in intensity and frequency. Two Bomb attacks have killed hundreds of Pakistani Christians. Christian communities such as St Joseph’s Colony have been mobbed by irate Muslims incensed to anger against Christians by their local mosques. The rate of Christian girls abducted, raped and forced into Islamic Marriage has reached 700 a year – almost two a day. Extra-judicial killings including Christian couple Shama and Shahzad who were burnt alive have surpassed expectations and previous levels of brutality. Three further Christians, held on trumped up charges, have been killed whilst in Pakistani prisons. Wilson Chowdhry said that this was merely the tip of the iceberg.
Mr. Chowdhry reminded the group of the other sacrifices made by Martyr Bishop John Joseph of Faisalabad who, on May 6th 1998, took his own life to raise awareness of the growing concern of Christians being accused of blasphemy. After the Islamisation of the laws that had originally been introduced by the British to quell hatred from Hindus towards Muslims, Bishop John Joseph was one of the very early campaigners. His campaign highlighted the evil of these man made laws and Bishop John could clearly foresee the pain and suffering the notorious laws would cause – decades before other humanitarians. To this date rumour exists that Bishop John was assassinated and did not commit suicide.
Mr. Chowdhry also spoke about Tim Iqbal Masih a child of only 12 years who was shot dead after having left an Easter Church service on April 16th 1995. Tim had been a bonded labourer and had started work stitching carpets at the tender age of 4. After hearing about new bonded Labour laws that gave him his freedom from a tannoy broadcast via a vehicle driving past his work area, he decided to run away from his master. He later joined the charity that had emancipated him and played his part in freeing over 3000 other children from bonded labour. At the age of 12 he spoke before an open session at the United Nations, drawing international attention to the ongoing slavery in Pakistan.
Wilson challenged delegates to continue the legacy of those that had come before and to improve further the lot of Pakistan’s minorities. He shared his desire to see a more tolerant Pakistan, one in which Christians and other minorities are accepted as equal citizens and need not fear sudden attacks by their neighbours incensed by hate speech from local mosques. A Pakistan where the education system does not demonize or caricature minorities and where the statutory authorities are impartial and diligent.
Wilson Chowdhry, said:
“Britain should implement accountability to their foreign aid budget for Pakistan – the biggest recipient. Money sent should be used productively and seen to foster better care for minorities and improve civil rights. Immediate changes are required to the prejudicial national curriculum of Pakistan that is espousing hatred and has created a generation of extremists. Moreover the reforms that Shahbaz Bhatti called for to the blasphemy law are insufficient and we need to push beyond the boundaries set by Pakistan’s Realpolitik. No alteration of these laws will stop their use to persecute minorities, obtain land and possessions from potential victims or settle personal vendettas. Quite simply the blasphemy laws should be abrogated and Pakistani society allowed to begin a new chapter in their history.”
Morris Johns Lead researcher and events organiser for the APPG was so impressed with Mr Chowdhry’s speech, he requested a meeting with our Chairman to discuss further solutions for Pakistan. We have invited him to join us at our offices on Monday 14th March 2016 at 11pm.
Wilson Chowdhry second from the right
