March 3 | 
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Religious freedom must go hand and hand with aid
Following yesterday’s political assassination, John Newton reports on Aid to the Church in Need's concerns that the UK government increased aid for Pakistan without obtaining guarantees
The UK head of a Catholic charity has spoken out following the announcement that British aid to Pakistan will be increased as killings linked to the blasphemy laws continue in the country.
Neville Kyrke-Smith, director of the UK office of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), raised serious concerns about overseas aid packages that do not include assurances of respect for human rights and religious freedom.
This came shortly after news broke that Shahbaz Bhatti (above), Pakistan’s minister for religious minorities, had been killed by gunmen in Islamabad.
“How can the British government be planning to increase aid to the Pakistan government when religious freedom is not upheld and those who are against the infamous blasphemy laws are not protected and just gunned down?” Mr Kyrke-Smith said.
The UK’s International Development Secretary, Andrew Mitchell, has indicated that overseas aid could more than double, exceeding £445 million a year.
Mr Kyrke-Smith added: “Pressure should be put on the Pakistan government to ensure religious freedom—you cannot provide aid without commitment to human rights.”
Noting the various attacks on Christians which have occurred, he said that conditions should be attached to any aid payment, including a definite commitment to protection for Christians and other religious minorities —including Shia Muslims—who may experience attacks following accusations of blasphemy.
“As a democratic country we should be encouraging religious freedom and human rights in those countries we are giving aid to,” Mr Kyrke-Smith said.
Mr Bhatti, who was killed on Wednesday, had received death threats from Islamist militants in the past for speaking out against the country’s blasphemy laws.
Talking to ACN Bishop Sebastian Shaw, Auxiliary Bishop of Lahore, said: “When we heard this news [about Shahbaz Bhatti’s murder] we were all shocked—people started crying.
“Shahbaz wanted to build inter-faith harmony and bring more peace. Of course we are angry as well as sad but we are hoping people will remain calm.”
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