Pakistani Christian, Asia Bibi (45) was sentenced to death last week. Her five children and husband are devastated. This is a landmark case as she is the first woman in Pakistan sentenced to death under the 295-C Blasphemy Law.
Ironically, the Blasphemy Laws were brought onto the statute at the time of partition with India in order to protect non-muslims living in Pakistan, similarly non-Hindus protected in India. It is ironic because Asia Bibi during the course of her work as a labourer in the fields began with a discussion about Christianity and Islam, Jesus and Mohammed.
These laws that were intended to allow such discussion and even disagreement have now been used to condemn a working mum to death. It is hard to imagine such a ‘crime’ as being on a par with murder, rape and violent robbery.
It all began when some of the women she worked with had been putting her under pressure to renounce her Christian faith and accept Islam.
On June 19, 2009, the women pressed Asia about Islam. She responded by sharing with them about her faith in Christ. She spoke of how Jesus Christ had died on the cross for their sins and then asked them what Mohammed had done for them.
On hearing this response the Muslim women became very angry and began to beat her. Some men took Asia by force and locked her in a room. They used the PA system of a local mosque to broadcast plans to punish Asia by blackening her face and parading her through the village on a donkey. A mob formed and Asia was violently abused by Muslim villagers and clerics. Her children were also beaten. However, some Christians informed the police and Asia was taken into protective custody. Pressure to charge her was brought to bear by Muslim leaders. Sentence was passed yesterday.
Asia was also fined £728 – the equivalent of two-and-a half years’ salary for an unskilled worker.
It is a crushing blow for Asia, who was hoping to be acquitted and return to her husband and children.
This week an appeal has been filed against the death sentence at the High Court in Lahore. It is a high profile case in Pakistan and far beyond. It is dangerous for the defence lawyer to stand up in court on Asia’s behalf, but for her and her family they have already received death threats from extremists. These are troubling times when a legal system set up to protect and enforce justice is treating a woman who spoke her mind as such a dangerous risk to society that the only punishment is execution.
Release International and its partners in Pakistan have supported persecuted and imprisoned Christians for many years. Men and women, children and the elderly have received practical, legal and emotional support. This week our partners will be visiting Asia in prison and her family in Lahore.
Throughout this year a campaign has been running to challenge the Pakistani Government on their legal provisions particularly for marginalised Christians. So far more than 37,000 people have signed the petition. More information can be found at www.releaseinternational.org/pages/take-action/current-campaign.php
I urge you to join the campaign by signing the petition, as together we seek a better way, where the marginalised are protected under the law. Please especially pray for Asia Bibi today, and for her family. Be the voice of persecuted Christians in Pakistan.
Andy Dipper is the chief executive of Release International, a ministry serving persecuted Christians worldwide.
