Norway has condemned the kiilling of Pakistani Minority Minister Sahbaz Bhatti on Wednesday. Bhatti was a fearless campaigner for human rights and the position of minorities in Pakistan, the Foreign Ministry says.
- I condemn the murder of Minorities Minister Sahbaz Bhatti. With him a fearless spokesman for human rights has passed away. This is a considerable set-back in the work for an improved system of government in Pakistan, says Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.
- I urge the Pakistani authorities to do its utmost to provide protection for persons who are working for the strenghtening of human rights in Pakistan, and to prosecute those responsible for this crime. I wish to express my sympathy to Sahbaz Bhatti's next of kin, the Norwegian Foreign Minister says.
Bhatti belonged to the Christian minority in Pakistan. He was a Catholic and the only Christian minister in the Paakistani government.
(NRK/Vårt Land)
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