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| India-Pakistan |
| Blasphemy law may be amended to prevent abuse: Bhatti |
| 2010-11-24 |
| [Pak Daily Times] The country will not repeal its blasphemy law, but may amend it to prevent abuse because scrapping the legislation could fuel militancy, Minorities Minister Shahbaz Bhatti said on Tuesday. The law, which carries the death penalty for insulting Islam or Prophet Muhammad (PTUI!), has come under the spotlight this month after a court sentenced a Christian mother of four, Aasia Bibi, to death in a case stemming from a village dispute. Widespread media attention on the case has led to renewed appeals by human rights ... which are not the same thing as individual rights, mind you... groups for the repeal of the law. Bhatti said that would not happen. "Repeal is not being considered though we are considering changing it so that misuse of the law should be stopped," Bhatti told Rooters. Blasphemy convictions are common although the death sentence has never been carried out. Most convictions are thrown out on appeal, but angry mobs have killed many people accused of blasphemy. Bhatti said consultations with Islamic holy mans and representatives of religious minorities on amending the law would soon be held. He said repealing it was not being considered because that could provoke religious parties and snuffies who want to topple the civilian government. "We have to analyse what the reaction of those having intolerant attitudes will be," he said. "At this point our aim is to stop its misuse." |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #3 |
| Posted by: anon1 2010-11-24 18:38 |
| #2 |
| Posted by: anon1 2010-11-24 18:32 |
| #1 |
| Posted by: gorb 2010-11-24 00:23 |