http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/34000
A horrible Terrorist Crime in Pakistan
By Elias Bejjani Thursday, March 3, 2011
"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness' sake, for
theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven" (Matthew 5:10).
Why, for heaven's sake are the free and democratic countries of the world,
the USA, Europe and all the others, turning a blind eye, adopting an
indifferent and laissez-faire stance, and not taking any practical deterrent
action against their close ally, the government of Pakistan who boldly and
savagely continues to either commit or cover up heinous and brutal crimes
against minorities, especially against the persecuted and impoverished
Christians and their clergy, politicians, officials and leaders?
Most of these crimes that range between systematized persecution, planned
inhuman atrocities, shameful discrimination, fabricated judicial charges,
unjust trials and harsh sentences are inflicted by the government itself
through notorious controversial blasphemy laws that deprive non-Muslim
Pakistani citizens of their basic rights.
Incredibly, Pakistan receives billions of dollars in aids annually from the
USA and other Western countries while its record in both human rights
violations and terrorism is one of the worse in the world. The question is
why the continued aids are not made conditional on the Pakistani government
ensuring equal citizenship rights for minorities. This is the least that the
Western countries ought to do.
The Western countries have moral, ethical and human obligations to force
their close ally, the Pakistani government to change its anti- minority
attitudes and to cancel all the barbaric and inhumane blasphemy laws.
With no doubt the statements of condemnation that the Western countries
issue after each crime that targets Christians in Pakistan are ignored and
will continue to be a waste of time unless they coincide with economic
sanctions and a clear set of pre-conditions on the aids that Pakistan
receives.
Yesterday another horrible crime took place in Pakistan when the honorable
Shahbaz Bhatti, Federal Minister for Minorities was assassinated. The victim
was the only Christian Minister in the Pakistani cabinet. He was a
courageous human rights activist who spoke loudly against terrorism and
terrorists, stood bravely against the Pakistani blasphemy laws and witnessed
for what is fair and righteous for all the Pakistani persecuted minorities.
In my capacity as founder and chairman of the Lebanese Canadian Coordinated
Council (LCCC), I condemn this cowardly attack against a brave, honest, and
faithful man who had the guts to speak out loudly against extremists in his
own country and denounce their terrorism, evil schemes and horrible
atrocities.
The LCCC totally adopts the statement of condemnation that was issued
yesterday by the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Canada's Minister of Foreign
Affairs. It urged the Pakistani Government to protect all those who find the
courage to speak out against the country's controversial blasphemy laws and
to bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous crime. The statement
called on the Government of Pakistan to prevent the abuse of the blasphemy
laws, which restrict freedom of religion and expression and have
disproportionately targeted religious minorities.
>From the LCCC we extend our deepest condolences to the Pakistani Christian
communities, and to the family, and friends of Minister Bhatti and to the
Pakistani people.
With our Canadian people and Government we will continue to stand shoulder
to shoulder with those who defend human rights around the world."
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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