» 05/09/2007 15:12
PAKISTAN
New apostasy bill to impose death on anyone who leaves Islam
by Qaiser Felix

Pakistan's government sends draft bill tabled by six-party Islamic
alliance to standing committee for review. Under the bill's terms,
apostates would be sentenced to death or life in prison. Testimony by
two adults is the only independent evidence needed to determine or
demonstrate apostasy. Lahore archbishop is praying the bill is never
adopted.

Islamabad (AsiaNews) - A draft bill adopted in first reading by
Pakistan's National Assembly is now before a standing committee.
Tabled by a six-party politico-religious alliance, the Muttahida
Majlis-i-Amal or MMA, the Apostasy Act 2006 which the government sent
to the committee would impose the death penalty on Muslim men and life
in prison on Muslim women in case they leave Islam. It would also
force them to forfeit their property and lose legal custody of
children.

During the same session, lawmakers rejected another draft bill moved
by minority MNA Bhandara which sought to amend the existing blasphemy
law.

"This situation is unfortunate and sad. We demand freedom of
conscious, religion and expression in Pakistan, and this bill is
contrary to the principle of freedom of choice", said Archbishop
Lawrence John Saldanha, head of National Commission for Justice and
Peace and chairman of the Pakistan Catholic Bishops' Conference.

"Because international human rights charters give every individual the
right to change his or her religion according to his or her
conscience, we hope and pray that this bill will not be passed," Mgr
Saldanha said.

Should the bill become law anyone who leaves Islam for another
religion can be sentenced to death (if male) or life in prison 'until
repentance occurs' (if female).

Section 4 of the bill says that the offender's own confession in court
or the testimony by at least two adults is sufficient grounds for
conviction in apostasy cases. Testimony by non Muslims is not however
admissible in certain Pakistani courts.

Section 5 stipulates that the 'offender' must be granted 3 to 30 days
to recant the conversion and return to Islam. But even in cases where
the person returns to Islam judges can impose two-year sentences as
punishment for the original 'crime'. The accused can convert and
reconvert up to three times before the death sentence becomes
automatic.

Under Section 8 apostates forfeit all their properties which are
awarded only to their Muslim relatives. Section 9 says that they also
lose custody to any minor in their care and guardianship, including
their biological children.

--
There may come a time when the CO2 police will wander the earth telling
the poor and the dispossed how many dung chips they can put on their
cook fires. -- Captain Compassion.

Wherever I go it will be well with me, for it was well with me here, not
on account of the place, but of my judgments which I shall carry away
with me, for no one can deprive me of these; on the contrary, they alone
are my property, and cannot be taken away, and to possess them suffices
me wherever I am or whatever I do. -- EPICTETUS

"Civilization is the interval between Ice Ages." -- Will Durant.


"Progress is the increasing control of the environment by life.
--Will Durant

Joseph R. Darancette
daranc@NOSPAMcharter.net

New apostasy bill to impose death on anyone who leaves Islam

=BB 05/09/2007 15:12
PAKISTAN
New apostasy bill to impose death on anyone who leaves Islam
by Qaiser Felix

Pakistan's government sends draft bill tabled by six-party Islamic
alliance to standing committee for review. Under the bill's terms,
apostates would be sentenced to death or life in prison. Testimony by
two adults is the only independent evidence needed to determine or
demonstrate apostasy.

adopted.

Islamabad (AsiaNews) - A draft bill adopted in first reading by
Pakistan's National Assembly is now before a standing committee.
Tabled by a six-party politico-religious alliance, the Muttahida
Majlis-i-Amal or MMA, the Apostasy Act 2006 which the government sent
to the committee would impose the death penalty on Muslim men and life
in prison on Muslim women in case they leave Islam. It would also
force them to forfeit their property and lose legal custody of
children.

During the same session, lawmakers rejected another draft bill moved
by minority MNA Bhandara which sought to amend the existing blasphemy
law.

"This situation is unfortunate and sad. We demand freedom of
conscious, religion and expression in Pakistan, and this bill is
contrary to the principle of freedom of choice", said Archbishop
Lawrence John Saldanha, head of National Commission for Justice and
Peace and chairman of the Pakistan Catholic Bishops' Conference.

"Because international human rights charters give every individual the
right to change his or her religion according to his or her
conscience, we hope and pray that this bill will not be passed," Mgr
Saldanha said.

Should the bill become law anyone who leaves Islam for another
religion can be sentenced to death (if male) or life in prison 'until
repentance occurs' (if female).

Section 4 of the bill says that the offender's own confession in court
or the testimony by at least two adults is sufficient grounds for
conviction in apostasy cases. Testimony by non Muslims is not however
admissible in certain Pakistani courts.

Section 5 stipulates that the 'offender' must be granted 3 to 30 days
to recant the conversion and return to Islam. But even in cases where
the person returns to Islam judges can impose two-year sentences as
punishment for the original 'crime'. The accused can convert and
reconvert up to three times before the death sentence becomes
automatic.

Under Section 8 apostates forfeit all their properties which are
awarded only to their Muslim relatives. Section 9 says that they also
lose custody to any minor in their care and guardianship, including
their biological children.

--
There may come a time when the CO2 police will wander the earth telling
the poor and the dispossed how many dung chips they can put on their
cook fires. -- Captain Compassion.

Wherever I go it will be well with me, for it was well with me here, not
on account of the place, but of my judgments which I shall carry away
with me, for no one can deprive me of these; on the contrary, they alone
are my property, and cannot be taken away, and to possess them suffices
me wherever I am or whatever I do. -- EPICTETUS

"Civilization is the interval between Ice Ages." -- Will Durant.


"Progress is the increasing control of the environment by life.
--Will Durant

Joseph R. Darancette
daranc@NOSPAMcharter.net

=BB 05/09/2007 15:12
PAKISTAN
New apostasy bill to impose death on anyone who leaves Islam
by Qaiser Felix

Pakistan's government sends draft bill tabled by six-party Islamic
alliance to standing committee for review. Under the bill's terms,
apostates would be sentenced to death or life in prison. Testimony by
two adults is the only independent evidence needed to determine or
demonstrate apostasy. Lahore archbishop is praying the bill is never
adopted.

Islamabad (AsiaNews) - A draft bill adopted in first reading by
Pakistan's National Assembly is now before a standing committee.
Tabled by a six-party politico-religious alliance, the Muttahida
Majlis-i-Amal or MMA, the Apostasy Act 2006 which the government sent
to the committee would impose the death penalty on Muslim men and life
in prison on Muslim women in case they leave Islam. It would also
force them to forfeit their property and lose legal custody of
children.

During the same session, lawmakers rejected another draft bill moved
by minority MNA Bhandara which sought to amend the existing blasphemy
law.

"This situation is unfortunate and sad. We demand freedom of
conscious, religion and expression in Pakistan, and this bill is
contrary to the principle of freedom of choice", said Archbishop
Lawrence John Saldanha, head of National Commission for Justice and
Peace and chairman of the Pakistan Catholic Bishops' Conference.

"Because international human rights charters give every individual the
right to change his or her religion according to his or her
conscience, we hope and pray that this bill will not be passed," Mgr
Saldanha said.

Should the bill become law anyone who leaves Islam for another
religion can be sentenced to death (if male) or life in prison 'until
repentance occurs' (if female).

Section 4 of the bill says that the offender's own confession in court
or the testimony by at least two adults is sufficient grounds for
conviction in apostasy cases. Testimony by non Muslims is not however
admissible in certain Pakistani courts.

Section 5 stipulates that the 'offender' must be granted 3 to 30 days
to recant the conversion and return to Islam. But even in cases where
the person returns to Islam judges can impose two-year sentences as
punishment for the original 'crime'. The accused can convert and
reconvert up to three times before the death sentence becomes
automatic.

Under Section 8 apostates forfeit all their properties which are
awarded only to their Muslim relatives. Section 9 says that they also
lose custody to any minor in their care and guardianship, including
their biological children.