Pakistan (Hansard, 11 November 2003)

HC Deb 11 November 2003 vol 413 cc205-6W 205W

§ Mr. Gardiner
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what efforts his Department is making to end persecution of Christians in Pakistan; [136296]
206W
(2) what recent discussions his Department has had with authorities in the Pakistan Government about the persecution of Christians in Pakistan; [136297]
(3) what discussions his Department has had with organisations based in the UK campaigning to end persecution of Christians in Pakistan; [136298]
(4) what work the British high commission in Islamabad undertakes to reduce the persecution of Christians in Pakistan. [136299]

§ Mr. Mike O'Brien
We engage at all levels with the Pakistani Government and with civil society on the plight of Christians in Pakistan. We have raised this issue repeatedly in both official and ministerial level contacts and also in conjunction with our EU partners. There have been three separate EU demarches since June 2002 on this subject. Most recently, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised our concerns with Pakistani Foreign Minister Kasuri on 4 November.
The British high commission in Islamabad maintains close contacts with representatives of the religious minorities and human rights organisations within Pakistan. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has contact with a range of UK- based NGOs. including those who campaign for the rights of Christians and other religious minorities in Pakistan.

§ Mr. Jenkins
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Pakistan Government regarding the(a) numbers and (b) condition of children under 16 held in detention in Pakistan. [136435]

§ Mr. Mike O'Brien
Ministers have not raised this issue directly with the Pakistani Government, but the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is supporting implementation of the Juvenile Justice Ordinance 2000 to bring the Pakistani justice system into line with international standards. Recently we sponsored provincial training workshops in Pakistan for criminal justice professionals. The Supreme Court of Pakistan has now taken note of conditions of child prisoners by calling for action in all provinces.