A/51/542 English Page 22 C. FOLLOW-UP TABLE ADDRESSED TO THE PAKISTANI AUTHORITIES 1. Legislation Recommendations Comments and measures Blasphemy as an offence against belief may be subject to special legislation. However, such legislation should not be discriminatory and should not give rise to abuse. Nor should it be so vague as to jeopardize human rights, especially those of minorities. If offences against belief are made punishable under ordinary law, then procedural guarantees must be introduced and a balanced attitude must be maintained. While protecting freedom of conscience and freedom of worship is clearly a necessity, applying the death penalty for blasphemy appears disproportionate and even unacceptable. The Special Rapporteur endorses the Government’s proposal to amend procedural aspects of the blasphemy law and would encourage it not only to give effect to this proposal, but also to go further in amending the law on blasphemy, and more generally on religious offences, in accordance with the views expressed above. The Special Rapporteur believes that in any event some practical measures, especially administrative and educational ones, should be implemented pending more substantial constitutional and legislative changes. /...