Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)

I raise the matter of the need for reform of the blasphemy laws in Pakistan on the first anniversary of the murder of Mr. Shabaz Bhatti, a former Pakistani Federal Minister for Minorities who was an outspoken critic of these laws. He also supported the case of Mrs. Asia Bibi who was imprisoned under these laws and whose case is on appeal. The matter is being raised on a cross-party basis and with the support of Independent Deputies. It is also being raised today in a number of parliaments throughout the world.

I call on the Government to reiterate our support for Articles 18 and 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which acknowledges the rights to freedom of religion and speech and for the reform of the blasphemy laws in Pakistan. A number of parties in Pakistan support the call for their reform and attempts have previously been made to this end, including by the ruling party in Pakistan. A Bill brought forward last year by a Pakistan People's Party Member of Parliament aimed at their reform was withdrawn.

A great deal of pressure is exerted internally in Pakistan not to reform the blasphemy laws. There are different reforms that could be introduced. Many convictions are achieved in the lower courts and it has been proposed that such matters should, in the first instance, be dealt with in the higher courts. It is important that a friendly country such a Ireland put pressure on Pakistan to reform the laws and the government will need the support of other countries in doing so.

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