France ‘horrified’ at Bhatti’s assassination

ISLAMABAD: The French Government is ‘horrified’, and expresses its indignation over the assassination of the Pakistani Minister for minorities, Shahbaz Bhatti.

“France condemns in the strongest possible terms this heinous crime. Everything must be done to identify and punish the culprits,” said a statement issued at French Embassy in Islamabad.

It said the assassination is the second one targeting a senior political figure in the last two months. It took place in a worrying context of attacks on freedom of speech and religious freedom in Pakistan.

“Nobody can accept that a human being be assassinated for what he is or what he believes in.”

France salutes the memory of this political figure who very bravely defended for many years the rights of the minorities and promoted human rights as a whole.

France had received Shahbaz Bhatti on the invitation of the Ministry for Foreign and European affairs. Today she offers her condolences to his family members and loved ones.

More than ever, France reaffirms her support to the Pakistani authorities. She encourages them not to yield to extremism and to pursue their fight against terrorism and all forms of violence undermining civil liberties.”