Suffering of Pakistan ’s second-class citizens
ICC Note
“As in so many parts of the world, Christians are degraded, abused or suffer appallingly for being seen as outsiders, the lowest of the low or associated with the West.”
By John Newton
01/29/2010 Pakistan (ACN)-The UK director of a leading Catholic charity has spoken out against the “appalling” suffering of Christians in Pakistan following the rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl.
The comments of Neville Kyrke-Smith, National Director of Aid to the Church in Need (UK), follow the violent death of 12-year-old Christian girl Shazia Bashir.
The girl was displaying signs of violence and torture when she was taken to Jinnah Hospital in Lahore on Friday 22 January but doctors were unable to save her.
The girl’s parents claim they had been forbidden to see Miss Bashir for several days before her death.
Mr Kyrke-Smith of Aid to the Church in Need said: “As in so many parts of the world, Christians are degraded, abused or suffer appallingly for being seen as outsiders, the lowest of the low or associated with the West.
“They feel unprotected – and such a terrible case shows the need for our solidarity in faith and action.”
He said: “Christians in society, especially poor families, suffer all forms of violence and bullying. We have documented a litany of cases that bear witness to this.
“The police and the government do not do much to protect us and often many cases end in impunity.”
