Shahbaz Bhatti
Encyclopedia
Clement Shahbaz Bhatti popularly known as Shahbaz Bhatti, was a Pakistani politician and elected member of the National Assembly
from 2008. He was the first Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs from November 2008 until his assassination on 2 March 2011 in Islamabad
. Bhatti, a Roman Catholic
, was an outspoken critic of Pakistan's blasphemy laws
and the only Christian in the Cabinet
. Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan
claimed responsibility for his killing and called him a blasphemer
of Muhammad
.
to Christian
(Roman Catholic) parents from the village of Khushpur
, Faisalabad
. His father, Jacob Bhatti, served in the army, then as a teacher, before becoming chairman of the board of churches in Khushpur. Shahbaz Bhatti was unmarried; he had four brothers and one sister.
as part of a group of minority rights advocates. Bhatti joined the Pakistan Peoples Party
(PPP) in 2002, but remained outside politics until becoming a minister in 2008. He was placed on the government's Exit Control List
in 2003, but was removed in November of that year.
Bhatti was appointed as Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs on 2 November 2008, when, for the first time, the post was elevated to cabinet level and an independent ministry created. At the time, he said that he accepted the post for the sake of the "oppressed, down-trodden and marginalized" of Pakistan, and that he had dedicated his life to the "struggle for human equality, social justice, religious freedom, and to uplift and empower religious minorities' communities." He added that he wanted to send "a message of hope to the people living a life of disappointment, disillusionment and despair", and also stated his commitment to reforming the country's blasphemy laws
.
During his time as federal minister, he took numerous steps in support of religious minorities. These included the launch of a national campaign to promote interfaith harmony, the proposal of legislation to ban hate speech and related literature, the proposed introduction of comparative religion as a curriculum subject, the introduction of quotas for religious minorities in government posts and the reservation of four Senate
seats for minorities. Bhatti also spearheaded the organisation of a National Interfaith Consultation in July 2010, which brought together senior religious leaders of all faiths from across Pakistan and resulted in a joint declaration against terrorism.
attacked in the 2009 Gojra riots
in Punjab Province. These threats increased following his support for Asia Bibi
, a Pakistani Christian sentenced to death in 2010 for blasphemy. The United States had tried to obtain increased security for him and get him an armored car but was unsuccessful. Bhatti himself foretold his death and recorded a video, which was to be released in case of his death, where he said "I believe in Jesus Christ who has given his own life for us, and I am ready to die for a cause. I'm living for my community ... and I will die to defend their rights."
According to the BBC, he was traveling to work through a residential district, having just left his mother's home, when his vehicle was sprayed with bullets. At the time of the attack he was alone, without any security. His driver reports having stopped the car and ducked when he saw armed men approaching rather than attempting to evade the threat. Bhatti was taken to a nearby hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival. The group Tehrik-i-Taliban told the BBC that they carried out the attack, because Bhatti was a "known blasphemer." A Roman Catholic who had criticized Pakistan's blasphemy law
, his death follows that of Punjab governor Salman Taseer, who was also assassinated amid the controversy over the blasphemy law.
On the day following Bhatti's assassination, hundreds of Christian demonstrators reportedly took to the streets across Punjab, with protesters burning tires and demanding justice.
According to Minorities Concern of Pakistan, "Investigators are divided over the assassination case with some in the Islamabad police pointing the fingers at the Taliban and al-Qaeda. In recent weeks, an attempt was also made to shift the blame to “internal squabbles” among Christians.
, an aide to President Asif Ali Zardari
, condemned the assassination, saying: "This is a concerted campaign to slaughter every liberal, progressive and humanist voice in Pakistan." President Zardari vowed to combat the forces of obscurantism
, and said, "we will not be intimidated nor will we retreat." The government declared three days of mourning. However, when the prime minister, Yousaf Raza Gillani
, led a two-minute silence in parliament, three members of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam party remained seated. Muhammad Rafi Usmani
, the grand mufti
of Pakistan, referred to the possibility of the assassination being "an American conspiracy to defame the government of Pakistan, Muslims and Islam." The Pakistani delegate to the United Nations Human Rights Council
, Asim Ahmad, said that it would not be right to link Bhatti's murder to the issue of blasphemy. Ahmad said freedom of speech
could not justify defamation and blasphemy; “It is important to prevent the deliberate campaign of defamation of Islam and its Prophet.”
Supranational - Catherine Ashton, the European Union foreign affairs chief
, condemned the murder, saying, "I am also deeply concerned about the climate of intolerance and violence linked to the debate on the controversial blasphemy laws." - Navanethem Pillay, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
, called on Pakistan to reform its blasphemy laws and said that the country had been poisoned by extremism.
States - Australian foreign minister Kevin Rudd
called Bhatti a courageous man whose efforts to protect and promote the rights of all minorities in Pakistan, regardless of race or religion won him the admiration and respect of people in Pakistan and around the world. - Prime Minister Stephen Harper
called the killers "gutless." The Canadian House of Commons passed a motion condemning the murder and offered condolences to Bhatti's family. - The French government stated that it was horrified by the assassination and urged the authorities to find the killers. - Foreign minister Guido Westerwelle
expressed shock at the killing and said Bhatti was passionately committed to the rights of minorities in Pakistan. - The Indian government condemned what it called "this dastardly crime," adding, "In this difficult hour, our prayers and thoughts are with the bereaved family and the people of Pakistan." - Spanish government condemned the killing and said, "Both as a leader of the Alliance for the All Pakistan Minorities (APMA) and from his responsibility as minister, Bhatti distinguished himself for his efforts in promoting intercultural and interfaith dialogue and the rights of all minorities in Pakistan." - Prime Minister David Cameron
called the murder "absolutely brutal and unacceptable". - President Barack Obama
condemned the murder and called for the killers to be brought to justice. - Papal spokesman Federico Lombardi
condemned the assassination calling it "unspeakable." He also called for the need to defend religious freedom and end persecution of Christians in Pakistan. Pope Benedict XVI
commenting on Bhatti's said his “moving sacrifice” inspired “courage and commitment to strive for religious freedom for all men.”
According to Minorities Concern of Pakistan, Shahbaz Bhatti's murderer is still unknown. Minorities are demanding for formation of a commission to probe the Bhatti case.
National Assembly of Pakistan
The National Assembly of Pakistan is the lower house of the bicameral Majlis-e-Shura, which also compromises the President of Pakistan and Senate . The National Assembly and the Senate both convene at Parliament House in Islamabad...
from 2008. He was the first Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs from November 2008 until his assassination on 2 March 2011 in Islamabad
Islamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan and the tenth largest city in the country. Located within the Islamabad Capital Territory , the population of the city has grown from 100,000 in 1951 to 1.7 million in 2011...
. Bhatti, a Roman Catholic
Roman Catholicism in Pakistan
The Roman Catholic Church in Pakistan is part of the worldwide Roman Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership of the Pope and curia in Rome. Pope John Paul II visited Pakistan on February 16, 1981....
, was an outspoken critic of Pakistan's blasphemy laws
Blasphemy law in Pakistan
The Pakistan Penal Code prohibits blasphemy against any recognized religion, providing penalties ranging from a fine to death. However, in practice, it is only applied to Islam. An accusation of blasphemy commonly subjects the accused, police, lawyers, and judges to harassment, threats, and attacks...
and the only Christian in the Cabinet
Cabinet of Pakistan
The Cabinet of Pakistan is headed by Prime Minister and plays an important role in the Government of Pakistan, in accordance with the Westminster System....
. Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan
Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan
Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan , alternatively referred to as the Pakistani Taliban, is an umbrella organization of various Islamist militant groups based in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas along the Afghan border in Pakistan. Most, but not all, Pakistani Taliban groups coalesce under the TTP...
claimed responsibility for his killing and called him a blasphemer
Islam and blasphemy
Blasphemy in Islam is any irreverent behavior toward holy personages, religious artifacts, customs, and beliefs that Muslims revere. The Quran and the hadith do not speak about blasphemy. Jurists created the offence, and they made it part of Sharia. Where Sharia pertains, the penalties for...
of Muhammad
Muhammad
Muhammad |ligature]] at U+FDF4 ;Arabic pronunciation varies regionally; the first vowel ranges from ~~; the second and the last vowel: ~~~. There are dialects which have no stress. In Egypt, it is pronounced not in religious contexts...
.
Early life
Bhatti was born in LahoreLahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
to Christian
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
(Roman Catholic) parents from the village of Khushpur
Khushpur
Khushpur is a Christian village in Faisalabad District in Punjab province of Pakistan. It is located at 31°7'0N 72°53'0E with an altitude of 167 metres...
, Faisalabad
Faisalabad District
Faisalabad District is one of the districts of Punjab province, Pakistan. According to the 1998 census of Pakistan it had a population of 5,429,547 of which almost 42% were in Faisalabad City....
. His father, Jacob Bhatti, served in the army, then as a teacher, before becoming chairman of the board of churches in Khushpur. Shahbaz Bhatti was unmarried; he had four brothers and one sister.
Career
As a student, Bhatti founded and served as head of Pakistan's Christian Liberation Front, which he formed in 1985. He later helped to found the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA) in 2002 and was unanimously elected as its chairman. He met with President Pervez MusharrafPervez Musharraf
Pervez Musharraf , is a retired four-star general who served as the 13th Chief of Army Staff and tenth President of Pakistan as well as tenth Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. Musharraf headed and led an administrative military government from October 1999 till August 2007. He ruled...
as part of a group of minority rights advocates. Bhatti joined the Pakistan Peoples Party
Pakistan Peoples Party
The Pakistan Peoples Party , is a democratic socialist political party in Pakistan affiliated with Socialist International. Pakistan People's Party is the largest political party of Pakistan...
(PPP) in 2002, but remained outside politics until becoming a minister in 2008. He was placed on the government's Exit Control List
Exit Control List
The Exit Control List is maintained by the government of Pakistan under the Exit from Pakistan Ordinance. Those persons on the list are prohibited from leaving Pakistan....
in 2003, but was removed in November of that year.
Bhatti was appointed as Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs on 2 November 2008, when, for the first time, the post was elevated to cabinet level and an independent ministry created. At the time, he said that he accepted the post for the sake of the "oppressed, down-trodden and marginalized" of Pakistan, and that he had dedicated his life to the "struggle for human equality, social justice, religious freedom, and to uplift and empower religious minorities' communities." He added that he wanted to send "a message of hope to the people living a life of disappointment, disillusionment and despair", and also stated his commitment to reforming the country's blasphemy laws
Blasphemy law in Pakistan
The Pakistan Penal Code prohibits blasphemy against any recognized religion, providing penalties ranging from a fine to death. However, in practice, it is only applied to Islam. An accusation of blasphemy commonly subjects the accused, police, lawyers, and judges to harassment, threats, and attacks...
.
During his time as federal minister, he took numerous steps in support of religious minorities. These included the launch of a national campaign to promote interfaith harmony, the proposal of legislation to ban hate speech and related literature, the proposed introduction of comparative religion as a curriculum subject, the introduction of quotas for religious minorities in government posts and the reservation of four Senate
Senate of Pakistan
The Senate of Pakistan is the upper house of the bicameral Parliament of Pakistan. Elections are held every three years for one half of the senate and each senator has a term of six years...
seats for minorities. Bhatti also spearheaded the organisation of a National Interfaith Consultation in July 2010, which brought together senior religious leaders of all faiths from across Pakistan and resulted in a joint declaration against terrorism.
Assassination
Bhatti had been the recipient of death threats since 2009, when he spoke in support of Pakistani ChristiansChristianity in Pakistan
Christianity is the largest religious minority in Pakistan. The total number of Christians in Pakistan is approximately 2,800,000 in 2008, or 1.6% of the population. Of these, approximately half are Roman Catholic and half Protestant...
attacked in the 2009 Gojra riots
2009 Gojra riots
The 2009 Gojra riots were a series of attacks targeting Christians in Gojra town in Punjab province of Pakistan. These resulted in the deaths of eight Christians including four women and a child.-Background:...
in Punjab Province. These threats increased following his support for Asia Bibi
Asia Bibi
Asia Noreen is a Pakistani Christian woman who was convicted of blasphemy by a Pakistani court, receiving a sentence of death by hanging. The verdict, which would need to be upheld by a superior court, has received worldwide attention...
, a Pakistani Christian sentenced to death in 2010 for blasphemy. The United States had tried to obtain increased security for him and get him an armored car but was unsuccessful. Bhatti himself foretold his death and recorded a video, which was to be released in case of his death, where he said "I believe in Jesus Christ who has given his own life for us, and I am ready to die for a cause. I'm living for my community ... and I will die to defend their rights."
According to the BBC, he was traveling to work through a residential district, having just left his mother's home, when his vehicle was sprayed with bullets. At the time of the attack he was alone, without any security. His driver reports having stopped the car and ducked when he saw armed men approaching rather than attempting to evade the threat. Bhatti was taken to a nearby hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival. The group Tehrik-i-Taliban told the BBC that they carried out the attack, because Bhatti was a "known blasphemer." A Roman Catholic who had criticized Pakistan's blasphemy law
Blasphemy law in Pakistan
The Pakistan Penal Code prohibits blasphemy against any recognized religion, providing penalties ranging from a fine to death. However, in practice, it is only applied to Islam. An accusation of blasphemy commonly subjects the accused, police, lawyers, and judges to harassment, threats, and attacks...
, his death follows that of Punjab governor Salman Taseer, who was also assassinated amid the controversy over the blasphemy law.
On the day following Bhatti's assassination, hundreds of Christian demonstrators reportedly took to the streets across Punjab, with protesters burning tires and demanding justice.
According to Minorities Concern of Pakistan, "Investigators are divided over the assassination case with some in the Islamabad police pointing the fingers at the Taliban and al-Qaeda. In recent weeks, an attempt was also made to shift the blame to “internal squabbles” among Christians.
Reactions
Domestic - Farahnaz IspahaniFarahnaz Ispahani
Farahnaz Ispahani is currently serving as a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan and as a spokesperson for the President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari. She is married to Husain Haqqani, the current Pakistan Ambassador to the United States, and is the granddaughter of Pakistan's first...
, an aide to President Asif Ali Zardari
Asif Ali Zardari
Asif Ali Zardari is the 11th and current President of Pakistan and the Co-Chairman of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party . He is also the widower of Benazir Bhutto, who served two nonconsecutive terms as Prime Minister....
, condemned the assassination, saying: "This is a concerted campaign to slaughter every liberal, progressive and humanist voice in Pakistan." President Zardari vowed to combat the forces of obscurantism
Obscurantism
Obscurantism is the practice of deliberately preventing the facts or the full details of some matter from becoming known. There are two, common, historical and intellectual, denotations: 1) restricting knowledge—opposition to the spread of knowledge, a policy of withholding knowledge from the...
, and said, "we will not be intimidated nor will we retreat." The government declared three days of mourning. However, when the prime minister, Yousaf Raza Gillani
Yousaf Raza Gillani
Yousuf Raza Gilani is the current prime minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. He was nominated as Prime Minister by the PPP, with the support of its coalition partners, Pakistan Muslim League , Awami National Party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam and Muttahida Qaumi Movement, on 22 March 2008...
, led a two-minute silence in parliament, three members of the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam party remained seated. Muhammad Rafi Usmani
Muhammad Rafi Usmani
Muhammad Rafi Uthmani is the renowned religious authority in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. He is serving as the crrent Grand Mufti of Pakistan and President of Darul Uloom Karachi. He is the son of the late Mufti Muhammad Shafi Uthmani, the founder of Darul Ulum Karachi. He is recognized for...
, the grand mufti
Grand Mufti
The title of Grand Mufti refers to the highest official of religious law in a Sunni or Ibadi Muslim country. The Grand Mufti issues legal opinions and edicts, fatwā, on interpretations of Islamic law for private clients or to assist judges in deciding cases...
of Pakistan, referred to the possibility of the assassination being "an American conspiracy to defame the government of Pakistan, Muslims and Islam." The Pakistani delegate to the United Nations Human Rights Council
United Nations Human Rights Council
The United Nations Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations System. The UNHRC is the successor to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights , and is a subsidiary body of the United Nations General Assembly...
, Asim Ahmad, said that it would not be right to link Bhatti's murder to the issue of blasphemy. Ahmad said freedom of speech
Freedom of speech
Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak freely without censorship. The term freedom of expression is sometimes used synonymously, but includes any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used...
could not justify defamation and blasphemy; “It is important to prevent the deliberate campaign of defamation of Islam and its Prophet.”
Supranational - Catherine Ashton, the European Union foreign affairs chief
High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy
The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy is the main co-ordinator and representative of the Common Foreign and Security Policy within the European Union...
, condemned the murder, saying, "I am also deeply concerned about the climate of intolerance and violence linked to the debate on the controversial blasphemy laws." - Navanethem Pillay, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights is a United Nations agency that works to promote and protect the human rights that are guaranteed under international law and stipulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 1948...
, called on Pakistan to reform its blasphemy laws and said that the country had been poisoned by extremism.
States - Australian foreign minister Kevin Rudd
Kevin Rudd
Kevin Michael Rudd is an Australian politician who was the 26th Prime Minister of Australia from 2007 to 2010. He has been Minister for Foreign Affairs since 2010...
called Bhatti a courageous man whose efforts to protect and promote the rights of all minorities in Pakistan, regardless of race or religion won him the admiration and respect of people in Pakistan and around the world. - Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Stephen Harper
Stephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election...
called the killers "gutless." The Canadian House of Commons passed a motion condemning the murder and offered condolences to Bhatti's family. - The French government stated that it was horrified by the assassination and urged the authorities to find the killers. - Foreign minister Guido Westerwelle
Guido Westerwelle
Guido Westerwelle [] is a German liberal politician, who, since 28 October 2009, has been serving as the Foreign Minister in the second cabinet of Chancellor Angela Merkel, and who was Vice Chancellor of Germany from 2009 to 2011. He is the first openly gay person to hold either of those positions...
expressed shock at the killing and said Bhatti was passionately committed to the rights of minorities in Pakistan. - The Indian government condemned what it called "this dastardly crime," adding, "In this difficult hour, our prayers and thoughts are with the bereaved family and the people of Pakistan." - Spanish government condemned the killing and said, "Both as a leader of the Alliance for the All Pakistan Minorities (APMA) and from his responsibility as minister, Bhatti distinguished himself for his efforts in promoting intercultural and interfaith dialogue and the rights of all minorities in Pakistan." - Prime Minister David Cameron
David Cameron
David William Donald Cameron is the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service and Leader of the Conservative Party. Cameron represents Witney as its Member of Parliament ....
called the murder "absolutely brutal and unacceptable". - President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
condemned the murder and called for the killers to be brought to justice. - Papal spokesman Federico Lombardi
Federico Lombardi
Federico Lombardi, SJ is an Italian Roman Catholic priest and the current director of the Holy See Press Office.-Early life and ordination:...
condemned the assassination calling it "unspeakable." He also called for the need to defend religious freedom and end persecution of Christians in Pakistan. Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
commenting on Bhatti's said his “moving sacrifice” inspired “courage and commitment to strive for religious freedom for all men.”
According to Minorities Concern of Pakistan, Shahbaz Bhatti's murderer is still unknown. Minorities are demanding for formation of a commission to probe the Bhatti case.
See also
- Freedom of speech versus blasphemyFreedom of speech versus blasphemyTension often exists between political freedom, particularly freedom of speech, and certain examples of art, literature, speech or other acts considered by some to be sacrilegious or blasphemous...
External links
- Shahbaz Bhatti, Pakistan Herald profile.
- Shahbaz Bhatti receives International Religious Freedom Award. Pakistan Press International Article, March 21, 2004.
- PAKISTAN: Religious freedom in the shadow of extremism. CSW religious freedom briefing, June 2011.