DEATH SENTENCE ON AYUB MASIH

Early day motion 1294, tabled 8 May 1998 by David Atkinson (Conservative). Signed by 46 members.

That this House notes with great concern the death sentence passed upon Ayub Masih on 27th April 1998 in Punjab district court for blasphemy against the prophet Mohammed under Pakistan Penal Code section 295C; further notes that the alleged source of the charges against Ayub Masih was the result of his quoting Salman Rushdie; notes with deep regret the tragic suicide on 6th May of Roman Catholic Bishop John Joseph of Faisalabad in protest at Ayub Masih's sentence and the continuing discrimination against Christians in Pakistan; and urges Her Majesty's Government to exercise their role as the EU President in making the strongest possible representation to the Pakistan Government calling for the repeal of the blasphemy law which was already resulted in a significant loss of life and liberty, and is itself in contravention of numerous international standards of religious liberty and freedom of speech.

Signatures by party: Labour 29, Liberal Democrat 9, Conservative 5, UUP 2, Labour/Co-operative 1.