ASIA/PAKISTAN - Asia Bibi has been acquitted: "A victory for all of Pakistan"

Wednesday, 31 October 2018 blasphemy human rights politics political islam islam religious minorities religious freedom legality justice

PAKISTAN

2024-04-17
Punjab Province: Catholic lawyer is human rights minister

2024-04-03
Lights and shadows on respect for human rights and the life of non-Muslim religious communities

2024-03-23
St. Ignatius' charism attracts young people in Pakistan

2024-03-15
On the anniversary of his death, the diocesan phase of the cause of beatification of the young Akah Bashir has concluded

2024-03-11
Shahbaz Bhatti: Remembering the murdered Catholic politician

2024-02-28
A Catholic elected Deputy President of the Sindh Provincial Assembly

Islamabad (Agenzia Fides) - Asia Bibi has been acquitted. In the hearing on October 31st which began at 9 am, a three-member panel of Supreme Court justices, led by the President of the same Court, Judge Mian Saqib Nisar, declared the Christian woman condemned to death in 2010 for alleged blasphemy innocent, ordering her immediate release. This is the conclusion of a story linked to the abuse of the blasphemy law, brought up in private vendettas.
"It is great news for Pakistan and the rest of the world, Asia Bibi has received justice" said Asia Bibi's lawyer, Muslim Saiful Malook.
Fr. James Channan, Dominican and at the head of the "Peace Center" in Lahore, comments to Agenzia Fides: "The Court proved that Asia Bibi is innocent and freed her. She had been condemned to death because of false accusations of blasphemy. Her release is a victory for justice and the rule of law. Today we can say with satisfaction that justice prevails in Pakistan. The judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan expressed their judgments freely and do not suffer any kind of pressure from fundamentalist and radical Islamic groups". Channan adds: "Many Christians and non-Christians all over the world prayed for the Asia’s release, while she was in prison as innocent, now the prayers have been heard: let us thank the Lord. It is necessary to say and thank human rights organizations who took the case at heart and raised their voices for justice".
Meanwhile, in Pakistan, violent reactions are expected by fundamentalist groups that have threatened the judges with death and demand the hanging for Asia Bibi. Extremists and militants of the Islamic radical movement "Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan" (TLP) have launched protests in several cities, also calling for "reprisals against Christians". The government issued an alert and strengthened security in front of all the Christian churches in the country. (PA-AG) (Agenzia Fides, 31/10/2018)