Thursday, January 6, 2011

Let Us Remember Salmaan Taseer

Salmaan Taseer, the governor of Punjab, Pakistan, was assassinated by one of his bodyguards, it is widely reported that this murder was committed for Taseer's opposition to Pakistan's notorious blasphemy laws.

These laws forbid "defaming" Islam and are notorious for being used to intimidate the religious minorities within Pakistan.

It is a terrible shame that a man who speaks out against this law, because he knows that it is being used to intimidate religious minorities, he knows it is being ruthlessly used by some scheming opportunists to settle personal grudges, he knows that those even accused of blaspheming Islam can face severe discrimination by those who judge the accused guilty, even murder, and so he speaks out, he wants to change things to make them better. And for standing up for religious minorities so that they may live peaceful and productive lives in Pakistan, he pays with his life.

It is a terrible injustice that such a thing should happen.

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