Release International

Release is urging that Asia be acquitted, set free and protected - and wants Pakistan's notorious blasphemy laws to be repealed

Release International is welcoming a stay of execution for Asia Bibi - a Christian mother who has been on death row in Pakistan for blasphemy. The Supreme Court has suspended the death sentence pending an appeal.

Release, which supports persecuted Christians around the world, wants Asia's acquittal, a review of all blasphemy cases, and Pakistan to repeal its discredited blasphemy laws which are wide open to abuse.

'Release is delighted the Supreme Court has ordered a temporary stay of execution,' says Release International Chief Executive Paul Robinson. 'But for justice to be done the Supreme Court must now look at acquitting Asia Bibi and grant her freedom.

'This case has focused world attention on the country's notorious blasphemy laws. All too often, allegations of blasphemy are used to settle scores and take out rivals. Those accused can face detention, imprisonment and the death penalty. And even if they are acquitted, they face being murdered by extremists.

'Pakistan must look at setting Asia Bibi free and guaranteeing her safety. It must review all of its blasphemy cases and must act now to repeal these notorious blasphemy laws which have been used as weapons to target Christians and others.'

It's almost five years since illiterate farm labourer Asia Bibi became the first woman in Pakistan to be sentenced to death for blasphemy. Since then, Asia has been confined to a cell on death row.

One cleric offered a reward of 500,000 rupees - about £4,000 - for the person who puts her to death. Militants have threatened to blow her up in prison, and her husband and children have been forced to go into hiding.

The blasphemy law was created in 1860 by the British rulers of India as a way to keep the peace between different religious groups. Pakistan inherited the law after its creation in 1947, but it was revived in the 1980s by the sixth president of Pakistan, Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, to fulfil his agenda of creating a state ruled by Sharia (Islamic) law.

Politicians who oppose the blasphemy laws have paid with their lives. In 2011, the governor of Punjab, Salman Taseer, was murdered by his own bodyguard for calling for Asia's release and for the repeal of the blasphemy laws. And within two months the minister of religious minorities, Shahbaz Bhatti, a Christian, was assassinated for the same thing.

Asia Bibi found herself accused of blasphemy after a dispute with Muslim co-workers who refused to drink the water the Christian woman had provided, because they considered her to be unclean.
According to reports, some of the women workers had been putting her under pressure to renounce her Christian faith and accept Islam. Asia responded by sharing with them about her faith in Christ.

Asia was beaten and threatened by a mob before being taken into protective custody. On June 14 2009 she was accused of uttering blasphemies against the prophet Mohammed - a charge Asia has always denied - and in November she was sentenced to death.

If the Supreme Court does decide to uphold the sentence Asia Bibi will be the first woman in Pakistan to be executed for blasphemy.

Release International has long campaigned for an end to the blasphemy laws including presenting a 51,000-name petition to the Pakistan High Commissioner in London.

Mr Wajid Shamsul Hasan, the High Commissioner at the time, said, 'We share your concerns, and we will do our utmost in the best possible way to provide security for the minorities and to alleviate their sufferings.'

'Please pray for Asia Bibi,' says Paul Robinson. 'Pray that God will comfort and strengthen her and uphold justice for her - and that she will be set free. And pray that Pakistan will put an end to these deeply unjust blasphemy laws that have been used to target Christians and others in acts of revenge.'

Last year, bonded labourer Shehzad Masih and his four-months pregnant wife, Shama, were beaten and burnt to death by a 1500-strong mob. They threw them into a lighted brick kiln.
According to reports, the mob was whipped up by rumours the couple had thrown away pages of the Koran with their rubbish. Observers say the rumour may have been started to prevent the couple from trying to run away from the kiln and escape their crippling debts to the brick-kiln owner.