Pakistan

In one of the oldest Catholic villages of Pakistan a congress is held to discuss the Holy Scriptures and the Church’s mission. It is part of the Year of the Bible launched by Pakistani bishops. It can “rekindle people’s passion for the word of God [. . .] so that they can pass on to others what they have received,” says the secretary of the Catholic Bible Commission of Pakistan.

Receiving the members of the Pontifical Academy for Life, Benedict XVI reaffirms the absolute value of the human person, against those who would like to use eugenics to eliminate all those who are sick or imperfect. It is necessary to fight "genetic reductionism," because man is greater than his physical body.

Fifteen dead and at least 70 wounded in the city of Dera Ismail Khan, in North-western frontier province. Following the attack those attending the funeral invaded the city’s streets, launching an assault on the police station, government offices and security forces. Shops closed and curfew imposed.

Peter Jacob, secretary of the bishops' conference commission, criticizes the agreement between the government and the Taliban. It provides for peace in exchange for the introduction of Islamic law in the Swat valley. The human rights activist does not foresee a Taliban regime like the previous one in Afghanistan, but fears violations of the rights of women and religious minorities.

Arrests, fines, humiliations, lack of security, and possible attacks are typical for families whose members have been accused of blasphemy against the Qur'an. The case of James Masih and Boota Masih, sentenced to 10 years without any proof.

The British government has blocked the Dutch member of parliament from entering the country, because of his controversial opinions about Islam. For some, human rights are being set aside in the West in order to avoid displeasing Muslims; for others, silence is better than provocation. But the problem of the connection between Islam and violence remains a question that no one wants to address. A commentary by the Islamologist Fr. Samir Khalil Samir.

Asma Jahangir, chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, slams the charges, urging the government to prevent abuses in the application of the law. The Ahmadis in question are accused of defacing the walls of a bathroom in a mosque with offensive graffiti. For the Commission an extremist organisation and a relative of a local politician put pressure on police to incriminate the group.

In the report on the review of violations in China, Beijing stresses the advice of countries calling for greater control of dissidents and the internet. But human rights activists are claiming success simply for being able to discuss China's abuses at a UN meeting.

Pakistan's interior minister says that part of the planning for the attacks was done by Pakistani citizens, together with members of the extremist group Lashkar-e-Taiba. Six suspects in custody, connections to Spain and Italy.

The Vatican urges prayers for the woman and those who followed the protocol that brought about her death. Fr. Lombardi calls for “calm reflection” on care for society’s weakest. Doubts surround the acceleration of the protocol. Card. Saraiva Martins: “It is murder”.

On March 4, voting will be held for the renewal of the country's upper house. Islamabad has repeatedly promised a law to guarantee the rights of non-Muslims. According to the government, the conditions are not right, and the discussion has been pushed back to 2012. Activists are afraid of new episodes of marginalization.

Shahbaz Bhatti, a Catholic, says the country is duty-bound to find organisers and perpetrators of the assassination of the former Pakistani prime minister. UN commission will have three members. Last year the Pakistan People’s Party rejected the conclusions reached by a team of experts sent by Scotland Yard.