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The bravery of the Pakistanis to fight repressive blasphemy laws must be matched by support from the international community

In a climate where the rights of minority activists to an onslaught of violence and intimidation are exposed, rarely is the person who sticks their head above the parapet. Pakistan 's Minorities Minister Shahbaz Bhatti and Punjab Governor Salman Taseer were two such people who were sprayed bullets as a result of their campaigns to the country \ reform's blasphemy law. Muhammad Afzal Chishti was the cleric who Taseer 's funeral prayer performed. After seven months in hiding, he now has to flee Pakistan itself, as by the inclusion of threats from extremist groups. Other family members have also been on the receiving end of intimidation, and Chishti 's son Moin has submitted a request to the office of the Punjab police chief demand more security deposit.

Lest we forget what the blasphemy law in question hearsay evidence as valid, and is therefore used frequently to religious minorities such as Christians, mother-of-five subject Aasia Bibi. A recent report by U.S. NGO Human Rights First, throws more light on the perilous enforcement of the blasphemy laws: It documented more than 70 cases in 15 countries, which led the application of the blasphemy laws to death sentences and long prison sentences, and triggered "robberies, murders and mob attacked". During such a process in Indonesia this year, where was a Christian accused of insulting Islam, more than 1,000 insurgents attacked the yard and burned churches.

Blasphemy laws were of the Organization of the Islamic Co-operation (OIC), which used to entrench the Organization of Islamic Conference. Since 1998 it has brought us a series of resolutions of the UN Human Rights Council with the aim of combating defamation of religions. However, a counter-campaign by the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom led - supported by a coalition of over 180 NGOs - led to a dramatic turnaround in March 2011. Pakistan supported a resolution in which appeared the words "defamation of religion" how to be a distant memory. Instead, the resolution is simply intolerance and discrimination condemned on religious grounds and called "a global dialogue to promote a culture of tolerance and peace at all levels, on the basis of respect for human rights and the diversity of religions and world views". "Take measures to criminalize incitement to imminent violence based on religion or belief" in a refreshing nod in the direction of pragmatism, it compels states \. Therefore, the new resolution proposes a balance between religious freedom and freedom of expression, and embrace the symbiotic nature of their relationship. (Both of these rights came to the fore during my involvement in the April 2011 campaign for Muslim scientist Dr Usama Hasan, who received threats and intimidation after a discussion of evolution in a mosque in east London had to defend).

The appearance of Shehrbano Taseer, the daughter of Salman Taseer, a Geneva on Panel March 2011, where she discussed the abuse of blasphemy laws, brought the urgency of these proposals clearly shown. This new resolution is a positive step in challenging the "mob rule" mentality that overwhelms her father 's killer with awe and rose petals. The same mentality that does not (unless it takes, opportunism and hold) in the universal values ??of equality, justice and human rights, believes, and actively seeks votes to nip to promote these values.

The old "defamation of religion" resolutions - no matter how well meaning they may have been - not conducive to religious harmony and stymied legitimate criticism of the use of the blasphemy laws. Not only that Governor Taseer shame to get his views on the unjust application of these laws, but tried his opponent, the false impression that he is against the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to be spoken. What a departure from the mature approach by the Prophet Muhammad himself (he encourages open and respectful dialogue on a number of problems) in favor. This underlines the fact that the rules of engagement for debates and discussions are as important as the ideas discussed. In another shocking twist Taseer 's own son was kidnapped this morning in Lahore, Shahbaz, by four men on motorbikes. No group has claimed responsibility for his abduction so far.

Offer the best hope for Pakistan 's current crisis is for the international community to allocate more financial and moral support for civil society practitioners on the ground: has defied the likes of Karachi Medical Student Sana Saleem, the death threats for writing about human rights issues in her blog. Or the Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement, which came back with this pearl of wisdom in 1999:

"Laws are not just a mirror image of the company 's attitude toward a certain topic, they can the prevailing attitudes change Good laws can help to promote tolerance;. Bad laws can fire hate Attitudes are once set in motion to bring difficult to rest.. The blasphemy law has been incited to hate very quickly, with impunity and the abuse continued. "

The blasphemy debate is often framed as a battle between conservatives and liberals, but in her heart lies the value of simple humanity and courage. Taseer as governor himself used to point out, stating his uncle Urdu poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz: ".. Even if you 've got shackles on his feet, and walk fearlessly go"