ASIA/PAKISTAN - Muslim lawyers and human rights activists rallying for Asia Bibi

Islamabad (Agenzia Fides) – Civil society in Pakistan – not just the Christian community – is rallying in favor of Asia Bibi, the first Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy. "We support Asia Bibi and we will organize a large protest campaign in her favor. We will take all the necessary steps, on a legal level, to ensure that the trial is completely overturned on an appeal in the High Court of Lahore. Her case is emblematic of the abuse of the blasphemy law to the detriment of religious minorities. This is blatant violation of human rights," Fides was told by Mehdi Hasan, a journalist and academic, President of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), one of the most important non-governmental organizations, well-extended in Pakistan.
"As the Human Rights Commission, we will conduct accurate and credible investigations on the case. I can already say that all the cases of blasphemy that have been registered are based on false accusations and are the result of religious hatred or sectarianism. We have no confidence in the investigation announced by the government through the Minister for Religious Minorities," says Hasan. "For years now, we have asked that this law be abolished. It is a bad heirloom from the past, ordered by General Zia to silence religious extremism. Cases like that of Asia Bibi require our continued commitment."
Even Aslam Khaki, a prominent Muslim lawyer and scholar, is said to favor the repeal of the law, saying that he has often had to defend citizens falsely accused of blasphemy "only on the grounds of religious or sectarian hostility." In the case of Asia Bibi, Aslam Khaki says he is ready to take up her defense, free of charge, and suggests a twofold appeal: one in the High Court in Lahore, to ask the prosecution to present concrete evidence, and another in the Federal Sharia Court, as "the Islamic law itself prohibits the death penalty for women and non-Muslims."
In an interview with Fides, he said: "The blasphemy law should be abolished, but the government is weak and if it tries to do so, the radical Islamic groups will take to the streets. What can be done at this point is to change, at least, the legal procedures: to officially register a complaint of blasphemy it should not be enough to present a witness, there should also be concrete evidence. That alone would be a step forward and would avoid much suffering."
The lawyer told Fides: "In legal terms, it should be noted that the Court of Appeal overturns 95% of convictions for blasphemy imposed at first instance. Thus, the national legal system itself recognizes the lack of credibility in the charges. Meanwhile, many people suffer discrimination, death threats, and years in prison." (PA) (Agenzia Fides 12/11/2010)