§ Mr. David AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation of Mr. Ayub Masih, a Christian citizen in Pakistan; and if he proposes to monitor his appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal against the charge of blasphemy. [562601]
§ Mr. BradshawWe are deeply concerned about the misuse of the blasphemy laws in Pakistan and the fate of all Pakistani citizens, including Mr. Masih, who have been imprisoned and sentenced to death under these laws. Officials in London and Islamabad are in regular contact with human rights groups and Pakistan's minority communities. Together with our EU partners, we have raised our concerns at regular intervals with the Pakistani authorities, citing specific cases including Mr. Masih's. We raised his case again with the EU on 10 April 2002 and are now considering what further action we should take in support of Mr. Masih's Supreme Court Appeal.