Shahbaz Bhatti Explained

Shahbaz Bhatti
شہباز بھٹی
Honorific-Prefix:Servant of God
Office:Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs
Term Start:2 November 2008
Term End:2 March 2011
President:Asif Ali Zardari
Primeminister:Yousaf Raza Gillani
Predecessor:Muhammad Ijaz-ul-Haq
Birth Date:9 September 1968
Birth Place:Lahore, Pakistan
Death Place:Islamabad, Pakistan
Nationality:Pakistani
Party:Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)
Alma Mater:University of the Punjab
Module:
Child:yes
Succeeded:Paul Bhatti

Clement Shahbaz Bhatti (9 September 19682 March 2011) was a Pakistani politician and the first Christian Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs. He was elected as a member of the National Assembly in 2008 for the Pakistan People's Party.[1] Bhatti became the only Christian member of Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani's Cabinet on November 2.[2] [3] On 2 March 2011, Bhatti was assassinated outside his mother's home by members of the Pakistani Taliban for his opposition to Pakistan's blasphemy laws.[4] In March 2016, his cause for beatification was formally opened by the Diocese of Islamabad-Rawalpindi. He was given the honorary title Servant of God within the Catholic Church.[5] [6]

Early life

Bhatti was born in Lahore to Christian parents from the Faisalabad District. His father, Jacob Bhatti, worked as an officer of the British Army, then as a teacher, before becoming chairman of the board of churches in Khushpur.[7] On 10 December 1995, Human Rights Day, Bhatti married Salma Peter John, a human rights activist. However, after Bhatti’s death, his family has denied that this wedding ever took place and insists that Salma was only Bhatti's employee. In March 2013, she sought asylum in the United States following repeated intimidation and death threats from Bhatti's family.[8] [9]

Career

Bhatti founded the Christian Liberation Front in 1985, while studying public administration at the University of the Punjab in Lahore.[10] He founded the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA) in 2002 and was unanimously elected as its chairman.[11] He met with President Pervez Musharraf as part of a group of minority rights advocates.[12] Bhatti joined the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in 2002,[13] but remained outside politics until becoming a minister in 2008. He was placed on the government's Exit Control List in 2003, but was removed in November of that year.[14]

Bhatti was appointed as Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs on 2 November 2008, when, for the first time, the post was elevated to cabinet level and an independent ministry created. At the time, he said that he accepted the post for the sake of the "oppressed, down-trodden and marginalized" of Pakistan, and that he had dedicated his life to the "struggle for human equality, social justice, religious freedom, and to uplift and empower religious minorities' communities." He added that he wanted to send "a message of hope to the people living a life of disappointment, disillusionment and despair", and also stated his commitment to reforming the country's blasphemy laws.

During his time as federal minister, he took numerous steps in support of religious minorities. These included the launch of a national campaign to promote interfaith harmony, the proposal of legislation to ban hate speech and related literature, the proposed introduction of comparative religion as a curriculum subject, the introduction of quotas for religious minorities in government posts, and the reservation of four Senate seats for minorities.[13] Bhatti also spearheaded the organisation of a National Interfaith Consultation in July 2010, which brought together senior religious leaders of all faiths from across Pakistan and resulted in a joint declaration against terrorism.[15]

Assassination

Bhatti had been the recipient of death threats since 2009, when he spoke in support of Pakistani Christians attacked in the 2009 Gojra riots in Punjab Province. These threats increased following his support for Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian sentenced to death in 2010 for blasphemy.[16] The United States had tried to obtain increased security for him and get him an armoured car but was unsuccessful.[17] Bhatti himself foretold his death and recorded a video, which was to be released in case of his death, where he said "I believe in Jesus Christ who has given his own life for us, and I am ready to die for a cause. I'm living for my community ... and I will die to defend their rights."[18]

According to the BBC, Bhatti was travelling to work through a residential district, having just left his mother's home, when his vehicle was sprayed with bullets. At the time of the attack he was alone, without any security. His driver reports having stopped the car and ducked when he saw armed men approaching rather than attempting to evade the threat. Bhatti was taken to a nearby hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival.Leader of Pakistani Taliban Asmatullah Muiawiya (assassinated by air strike in 2017) told the BBC that his group carried out the attack because Bhatti was a "known blasphemer.."[19] Paul Bhatti, Bhatti's brother, became Minister of National Harmony and Minority Affairs as well as Chairman of the APMA following the assassination.[20] A Christian who had criticised Pakistan's blasphemy laws, his death follows that of Punjab Provine governor Salman Taseer, who was also killed on January 4 2011, amid the controversy over the blasphemy law.[19]

On the day following Bhatti's assassination, hundreds of Christian demonstrators reportedly took to the streets across Punjab, with protesters burning tires and demanding justice.[21] According to Minorities Concern of Pakistan, "Investigators are divided over the assassination case with some in the Islamabad police pointing the fingers at the Taliban and al-Qaeda". A pamphlet found at his crime scene mentioned the Punjabi Taliban.[22] [23] Later in 2011, an attempt was also made to shift the blame to "internal squabbles" among Christians.[24] According to the same group, the identity of Bhatti's murderer was still unknown. In the months that followed, minority groups in Pakistan demanded the formation of a commission to probe the Bhatti case.[25]

Reactions

Domestic
Foreign

Leaders of Australia,[27] Canada,[28] France, Germany,[29] India,[30] Spain,[31] UK, USA,[32] and the Vatican[19] [33] [34] expressed their shock and condemnation of his killing.

Church

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Pakistani minister, a Christian, assassinated . 3 March 2011 . . 3 March 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110308082655/http://story.albuquerqueexpress.com/index.php/ct/9/cid/89d96798a39564bd/id/750615/cs/1/ . 8 March 2011.
  2. News: 4 November 2008 . Shahbaz Bhatti, a Catholic, is the new minister for the defense of minorities . . live . 21 June 2023 . 21 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230621031427/https://www.asianews.it/news-en/Shahbaz-Bhatti,-a-Catholic,-is-the-new-minister-for-the-defense-of-minorities-13664.html .
  3. News: Rodriguez . Alex . 3 March 2011 . Pakistan's only Christian Cabinet member assassinated . . 3 March 2011 . 3 March 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110303053902/http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-pakistan-christian-assassinated20110304,0,7683705.story . live.
  4. Web site: 2 March 2021 . USCIRF Marks 10th Anniversary of Shahbaz Bhatti Assassination . live . 21 June 2023 . United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) . 27 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220727194250/https://www.uscirf.gov/news-room/releases-statements/uscirf-marks-10th-anniversary-shahbaz-bhatti-assassination .
  5. Web site: 2011 . 20 October 2016 . 4 June 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160604124043/http://newsaints.faithweb.com/year/2011.htm#Bhatti . live.
  6. News: 30 November 2018 . Pope Francis praises witness of Pakistani Catholic, 'servant of God' killed in 2011 . . live . 21 June 2023 . 22 September 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230922133139/https://www.catholicregister.org/home/international/item/28529-pope-francis-praises-witness-of-pakistani-catholic-servant-of-god-killed-in-2011.
  7. News: Bentham . Annabelle . 10 March 2011 . Shahbaz Bhatti obituary . . live . 21 June 2023 . 9 April 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190409214521/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/10/shahbaz-bhatti-obituary.
  8. Web site: 2014-09-25 . Shahbaz Bhatti's wife claims death threats by his family . 2021-05-31 . The Express Tribune . en . 11 December 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211211103652/https://tribune.com.pk/story/766901/shahbaz-bhattis-wife-claims-death-threats-by-his-family . live.
  9. News: Tanveer . Rana . 2 March 2016 . Five years on: Shahbaz Bhatti's 'widow' demands recognition . . live . 21 June 2023 . 13 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160313055713/http://tribune.com.pk/story/1058095/five-years-on-shahbaz-bhattis-widow-demands-recognition/.
  10. Book: Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. State of human rights in 2003. 2004. Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. 978-969-8324-17-9.
  11. News: Shahbaz Bhatti obituary . London . . Annabelle . Bentham . 10 March 2011 . 17 December 2016 . 9 April 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190409214521/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/10/shahbaz-bhatti-obituary . live.
  12. Book: Charisma and Christian life . 2002 . Strang Communications Co..
  13. News: Profile: Shahbaz Bhatti . . 2 March 2011 . 20 October 2016 . 25 August 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110825125545/http://www.dawn.com/2011/03/02/profile-shahbaz-bhatti.html . live.
  14. Book: Senate (U S) Committee on Foreign Relations . Annual Report on International Religious Freedom, 2004 . August 2005 . Government Printing Office . 978-0-16-072552-4 . 668.
  15. Web site: The Express Tribune, Interfaith conference issues declaration against terror, July 2010 . 25 July 2010 . 7 September 2011 . 15 August 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100815052727/http://tribune.com.pk/story/31096/interfaith-conference-issues-declaration-against-terror/ . live.
  16. Web site: Bhatti knew about threat to his life from Taliban, Qaeda . 2 March 2011 . 20 October 2016 . 8 April 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170408225843/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/142473/bhatti-kthreat-his-life-taliban.html . live.
  17. News: U.S. Tried to Help Protect Slain Pakistani Minister . Perlez . Jane . 3 March 2011 . . 3 March 2011 . 4 September 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110904044741/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/04/world/asia/04pakistan.html . live.
  18. In Pakistan, Justifying Murder for Those Who Blaspheme . https://archive.today/20130204111217/http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,2058155,00.html . dead . 4 February 2013 . Baker . Aryn . 21 March 2011 . . 11 March 2011.
  19. News: 2 March 2011 . Pakistan Minorities Minister Shahbaz Bhatti shot dead . . 3 March 2011 . 2 March 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110302231900/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12617562 . live.
  20. Web site: Paul Bhatti . live . 21 June 2023 . . 21 June 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230621031429/https://ucs.nd.edu/rome-conference/speakers-panelists/paul-bhatti/.
  21. News: Declan . Walsh . Pakistani Christians protest after assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti . . 3 March 2011 . 17 December 2016 . 13 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160313234110/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/mar/03/pakistan-christians-shahbaz-bhatti-assassination . live.
  22. News: 3 March 2011 . Things fall apart . . live . 9 March 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110312091435/http://www.economist.com/node/18285912?story_id=18285912 . 12 March 2011.
  23. News: 2 March 2011 . Terrorists silence another voice of interfaith harmony . . live . 3 October 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131003223651/http://beta.dawn.com/news/610290/terrorists-silence-another-voice-of-interfaith-harmony . 3 October 2013.
  24. Web site: Mughal . Aftab Alexander . Al Qaeda connections may provide impunity for murder in Pakistan . Spero News . 2 July 2011 . 2 July 2011 . 7 April 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140407081930/http://www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?idCategory=33&idsub=122&id=56430&t=Al+Qaeda+connections+may+provide+impunity+for+murder+in+Pakistan . dead.
  25. Web site: Mughal . Aftab Alexander . Murder of Pakistan's minister for minority affairs still unresolved . Spero News . 4 May 2011 . 4 May 2011 . 7 April 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140407081735/http://www.speroforum.com/site/article.asp?idCategory=33&idsub=122&id=53262&t=Murder+of+Pakistan%27s+minister+for+minority+affairs+still+unresolved . dead.
  26. Web site: Don't link minister's murder to blasphemy: Pakistani UN delegate . 4 March 2011 . . 4 March 2011 . 5 March 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110305042633/http://tribune.com.pk/story/127504/dont-link-ministers-murder-to-blasphemy/ . live.
  27. Web site: Statement on the assassination of Pakistan's Minister for Minorities, Shahbaz Bhatti . 3 March 2011 . Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs . 3 March 2011 . 14 March 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140314221601/http://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/2011/kr_mr_110303a.html . dead.
  28. Web site: Harper condemns 'gutless' killers of Pakistan minister . 3 March 2011 . . 3 March 2011 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20110306164017/http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/20110303/harper-bhatti-110303 . 6 March 2011.
  29. Web site: International community condemns Shahbaz Bhatti's assassination . 3 March 2011 . . 3 March 2011 . 4 March 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110304000401/http://tribune.com.pk/story/126746/international-community-condemns-shahbaz-bhattis-assassination-page-9-check-this-story/ . live.
  30. Web site: India condemns tragic assassination of Pak Federal Minister Shahbaz Bhatti . 2 March 2011 . Ministry of External Affairs . 3 March 2011 . 15 April 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110415123125/http://meaindia.nic.in/mystart.php?id=530217311 . live.
  31. Web site: France, Canada, Spain condemn Bhatti's assassination . Hayat . Ishrat . 4 March 2011 . . 4 March 2011 . 19 December 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111219013446/http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=34303&Cat=2&dt=3/4/2011 . live.
  32. News: World community condemn Bhatti's murder . 3 March 2011 . . 3 March 2011 . 4 March 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110304030804/http://www.dawn.com/2011/03/03/british-pm-condemns-unacceptable-pakistan-murder.html . live.
  33. News: Vatican says Bhatti killing 'unspeakable' . 2 March 2011 . . 3 March 2011 . 5 March 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110305092810/http://www.dawn.com/2011/03/02/vatican-says-bhatti-killing-unspeakable.html . live.
  34. News: Pope voices 'great concern' over tensions in Africa, Asia . 6 March 2011 . . 6 March 2011 . 8 March 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110308003533/http://www.dawn.com/2011/03/06/pope-voices-great-concern-over-tensions-in-africa-asia.html . live.
  35. Web site: Calls for Shahbaz Bhatti to be declared a saint . hearldmalaysia.com . 6 September 2012 . dead . https://archive.today/20130125150627/http://www.heraldmalaysia.com/news/Calls-for-Shahbaz-Bhatti-to-be-declared-a-saint-11011-2-1.html . 25 January 2013.
  36. Web site: Pakistan bishops urge pope to name shahbaz bhatti a martyr . . 6 September 2012 . 11 August 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110811050905/http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pakistan-bishops-urge-pope-to-name-shahbaz-bhatti-a-martyr/? . live.
  37. Web site: Cardinal suggests sainthood for Shahbaz Bhatti . sconews.co.uk . 6 September 2012 . 6 March 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120306031119/http://www.sconews.co.uk/news/16940/cardinal-suggests-sainthood-for-shahbaz-bhatti/ . dead.
  38. Web site: Father Popieluszko in Rome pantheon of modern martyrs . thenews.pl . 6 September 2012.

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