DEATH OF SHAHBAZ BHATTI

Early day motion 1518, tabled 2 March 2011 by Andrew Stephenson (Conservative). Signed by 98 members.

That this House condemns the assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti, the Pakistani Minister for Minorities, who was the only Christian in the cabinet; notes that this comes only days after the government of Pakistan's retention of a minorities representative in the new cabinet and the Ministry for Minorities Affairs as an independent ministry; recognises the significant advances made in the interests of minority rights and interfaith dialogue by the Federal Minister Shahbaz Bhatti through this ministry; expresses concern at the ongoing misuse of the provisions of section 295 of the Pakistan Penal Code, known as the blasphemy laws, and the threats posed to all who challenge this legislation; and urges the government of Pakistan to reconsider reviewing the blasphemy laws as a matter of urgency.

Signatures by party: Labour 48, Liberal Democrat 23, Conservative 17, DUP 3, Scottish National Party 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2, Alliance 1, Green 1, Independent 1.