Pakistan's Minorities Minister Assassinated

We mourn today the loss of a prominent Cabinet minister in the Pakistani government, shot dead by Islamists. A Christian, Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti was the second member of the Pakistani government to be assassinated for opposing the 'blasphemy law.' This law is designed to protect the Islamic faith by ensuring a death sentence for anyone who insults the Prophet Mohammad. On the other hand, it is also on occasion used to subjugate other faiths, which do not take similar retribution.

The courts carry a death sentence for blasphemy law violations, although they have often not been carried out -- because lynch mobs are more likely to engage in extrajudicial killings. Efforts to reform this law, such as relying on more than witness testimony subject to grudge motivations or revenge, have been met with death threats.

Mr. Bhatti, according to the BBC, was well aware of these threats, and on film predicted his assassination about four months previous to it (BBC story, and the film, available here). He now joins Punjab Governor Salman Taseer, shot dead in January.

Two things in this story are most alarming for a culture of peace: (a) pamphlets found at the scene of Mr. Bhatti's assassination (outside his mother's house) are by al-Qaeda and Tehrik-i-Taliban Punjab; and (b) the deputy spokesman of Tehrik-i-Taliban told the BBC Urdu: "We will continue to target all those who speak against the law which punishes those who insult the prophet. Their fate will be the same."

Mr. Bhatti knew his fate, and yet kept working for the representation and protection of minorities in Pakistan. This is a hard road to walk.

Tehrik-i-Taliban is on record as pursuing extrajudicial killings, and has stated publicly that its premeditation is to continue to do so until there is no one left to debate, compromise, or share. This is an easy road to walk.

Murdering the opposition until there is no opposition speaks ill of peace-loving Muslims everywhere. We mourn on their behalf also.

2011 World Day of Social Justice

"Social justice is more than an ethical imperative, it is a foundation for national stability and global prosperity. Equal opportunity, solidarity and respect for human rights -- these are essential to unlocking the full productive potential of nations and peoples.."

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Message for the 2011 World Day of Social Justice
20 February 2011