[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 61 (Thursday, May 14, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H3262]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    FREEDOM OF RELIGION IN PAKISTAN

  (Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on behalf of a person 
imprisoned because of his religious beliefs in Pakistan.
  Recently, a Pakistani Christian, Ayub Masih, was sentenced to death 
under Pakistan's blasphemy law. In Pakistan, no one has yet been 
officially executed under the blasphemy law. However, extremists have 
killed a number of accused believers.
  On May 6, 1998, human rights activist Bishop John Joseph allegedly 
committed suicide to protest the blasphemy law and Masih's death 
sentence. Although the Pakistani Constitution protects freedom of 
religion, the blasphemy law contradicts the constitution and a number 
of international human rights standards.
  Mr. Speaker, every person, every country in the world should have 
this fundamental human right, the freedom of religion. I urge the 
Pakistani Government to acquit Mr. Ayub Masih and release him from 
prison with full protection of his rights and to protect him and his 
family.

                          ____________________