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<p>We are concerned by the distressing reports surrounding the case of Pervaiz Masih,
accused of blasphemy in Pakistan and the treatment of his family and death of his
daughter.</p><p>We remain deeply concerned by the misuse of the blasphemy laws and
the treatment of minority religious communities in Pakistan. We regularly raise our
concerns about the misuse of the blasphemy laws and the protection of minority communities
with the government of Pakistan at a senior level. I raised our concerns about Freedom
of Religion or Belief and the protection of minority religious communities with Pakistan’s
Human Rights Minister in September 2018. At the UN Universal Periodic Review of Pakistan
in November 2017, the UK pressed Pakistan to strengthen the protection of minorities
and to explain the steps being taken to tackle the abuse of the blasphemy laws.</p><p>To
ensure the United Kingdom is supporting Christians in the best possible way, the Foreign
Secretary has commissioned an independent, global review into the additional practical
steps the government can take to support persecuted Christians. The Review will be
led by the Bishop of Truro, Rt Revd. Philip Mounstephen, and will make an initial
report around Easter.</p><p> </p>
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