New York, NY (BBN)– Top United Nations officials have condemned the assassination of Pakistan’s Minister for Minority Affairs, Shahbaz Bhatti, the second high-ranking government official killed since the beginning of the year, reportedly for opposing the country’s blasphemy laws.

“These murders are a tragedy for Pakistan and those who envision a future for the country centred on human rights,” said Navi Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, in a statement on Wednesday. “I hope the Government of Pakistan will not only hold the killers to account, but reflect on how it can more effectively confront the extremism which is poisoning Pakistani society.”

Mr. Bhatti, who was Pakistan’s only Christian cabinet minister, died earlier today when gunmen fired on his car as he left his home in the capital, Islamabad.

On 4 January, the Governor of Punjab province, Salman Taseer, was also assassinated in Islamabad by one of his own bodyguards reportedly because he opposed laws on blasphemy, and had called for the pardoning of a Christian woman, Asia Bibi, sentenced to death under those laws.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in a statement issued by his spokesperson, called Mr. Bhatti “a prominent advocate for minority rights and a promoter of inter-faith understanding” and encouraged the government to continue its efforts to combat terrorism, protect the rights of minorities and promote tolerance.

Also condemning Mr. Bhatti’s assassination were four UN human rights experts, who urged that the killing be investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice. “It is crucial for the Government of Pakistan to act swiftly to fulfil its obligations to protect the lives and the rights of those belonging to religious minorities or advocating their rights,” they underlined in a statement.

The group included UN Independent Expert on minority issues Gay McDougall, who said that the tragedy is not only an attack on an individual, but also an attack on the rights of all religious minorities and on human rights in Pakistan.

BBN/SSR/AD-03Mar11-10:58 am (BST)