LAHORE, Pakistan (BP)—Asia Bibi has joined her husband and children in Canada, months after her acquittal of false blasphemy charges and her release from Pakistan’s death row.
Bibi’s attorney Saif-ul-Malook told several news outlets of her safe arrival in Ottawa.
“It’s a big day,” The Guardian quoted Malook as saying. “Justice has been dispensed.”
Pakistani authorities had secured Bibi in secret since her October 2018 acquittal and subsequent January victory against an appeal by her accusers. Radical Muslim mobs had rioted for her death and have threatened to kill her.
Bibi, a 54-year-old Catholic mother of five, is not well, having suffered depression from her ordeal of nearly a decade, Wilson Chowdhry, chairman of the British Pakistani Christian Association, told The Telegraph.
“She must be treated with utmost care and receive appropriate medical care now she is free,” Chowdhry said, according to the Telegraph.
Bibi’s husband Ashiq “has always remained hopeful of an imminent release from Pakistan,” Chowdhry said, adding he was “shocked at how long it has taken.”
Other Christians still face death sentences
Bibi was released while other Christians still are sentenced to death in Pakistan on blasphemy allegations. Many countries have pledged with the United States to fight internationally for the freedom of those imprisoned.
As recently as Feb. 13, Open Doors USA told of Christian brothers Qasir and Amoon Ayub, sentenced to death in Pakistan in a blasphemy case dating to 2010. A coworker accused them after a statement was allegedly made insulting the worker’s sister, Open Doors said, and the Ayub brothers eventually were convicted by a judge who said they were guilty of insulting the Muhammad “beyond (a) shadow of reasonable doubt.”
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In Bibi’s case, she was sentenced to death by hanging in 2010 on charges of insulting the prophet Muhammad while working in a field as a day laborer in 2009. When Bibi offered a coworker a cup of water, the woman said Bibi’s Christianity made the water ceremonially unclean. This set off a chain of false accusations related to Bibi’s beliefs, backed by Muslim clerics. Bibi refused to convert to Islam.
Accusations of blasphemy often are based on personal animosity against Christians, according to the U.S. State Department Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom, describing them as “a pretext to justify vigilantism or mob violence in the name of religion or as a false pretense to settle personal grievances.”
In addition to the United States, the statement was signed by representatives from Canada, Sri Lanka, Armenia, Australia, Brazil, Denmark, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Israel, Kosovo, Oman, Poland and the United Kingdom.
Call to repeal blasphemy laws
Religious liberty advocates hailed Bibi’s arrival in Canada.
William Stark, regional manager for International Christian Concern, said Bibi’s “case remains highly sensitive and the ignition point for many acts of religious hatred. It is our hope that Pakistan will be able to secure all Pakistani Christians, as extremists may seek revenge against their community.”
Tenzin Dorjee, chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, expressed relief and gratitude that Bibi was allowed to leave Pakistan and reunite with her family.
“While we are grateful that Asia Bibi will be able to start anew in Canada, she lost nearly a decade of her life in prison after being falsely accused of blasphemy,” Dorjee said.
“Unfortunately, there are at least 40 other individuals in Pakistan sentenced to death or serving life sentences on blasphemy charges. We ask the Pakistani government to nullify the blasphemy law and acquit them of the charges.”
Omar Waraich, deputy South Asia director for Amnesty International, agreed.
“This case illustrates the dangers of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws and the urgent need to repeal them,” he said.
Pakistan is one of three countries, along with Iran and Mauritania, where blasphemy is punishable by death, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom reported.
Every year since 2002, the commission has recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate Pakistan a “Country of Particular Concern” for “ongoing, systematic, egregious” violations of religious freedom.
More than 40 people convicted of blasphemy are currently on death row or serving life sentences in Pakistan, the American Center for Law and Justice said in 2018. Hundreds are serving or have served prison terms ranging from three years to 10 years.
Since 1986 when Pakistan updated its blasphemy laws, at least 150 Christians, 564 Muslims, 459 Ahmadis and 21 Hindus have been jailed on blasphemy charges, according to Open Doors.
With additional reporting by Managing Editor Ken Camp.
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