Pakistan: Asia Bibi, new hearing on 26 March

Asia Bibi

After two postponements, the appeal for Asia Bibi, a Christian woman unjustly accused and sentenced to death for blasphemy is set for Wednesday 26 March. Christian lawyer Naeem Shakir, head of her defense team is preparing the points of the defense with the aim to prove that "the charges against her have always been false".

The trial has been postponed twice and the Court administration has been on strike recently, but the lawyer says he has "high hopes" for Wednesday's hearing.

Meanwhile, he said, Asia Bibi is in the women's prison in Multan "in good health and strictly guarded for security reasons. The woman prays and hopes", he said.

Asia Bibi has been in prison now for four years. A working group of the European Parliament on freedom of religion wrote on 19 March: "We welcome the decision of the Lahore High Court to initiate the trial appeal for Asia Bibi. We note with regret that, in two hearings, the judges were on leave. We trust that the judges appointed are present for the third hearing".

"We call on all those involved in the case to show courage and not to give in to any pressure or external threat. We ask the government of Pakistan to safeguard the independence and effective functioning of the Lahore High Court. In addition, we urge the Pakistani authorities to provide adequate protection for all persons involved in the case, now and after a possible, future judicial decision".

"The group will continue to follow this case closely, as well as other cases involving the blasphemy laws in Pakistan that the European Parliament calls to reform, in order to avoid abuse, or repeal."

See also: ICN 19 March 2014 Pakistan: Asia Bibi appeal hearing postponed, lawyers remain hopeful www.indcatholicnews.com/news.php?viewStory=24385

Source: Fides