Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Lahore (Agenzia Fides) – The civil society of Pakistan “thanks and gives much importance” to the initiative by parliamentarians and Italian civil society for Asia Bibi and for the repeal of the blasphemy law. “We believe that such initiatives are valuable: the mobilization of international public opinion may serve to shake up our politicians to offer support and encouragement to the campaign which, despite all the difficulties and risks, we are carrying forward with many civil society organizations in Pakistan,” Fides was told by Mehdi Hasan, President of the “Human Rights Commission of Pakistan”, one of the most widespread and deep-rooted associations, a leader in defending human rights and in the proposed abolition of the blasphemy law.
“Every activity of an international nature which signals the abuse of this law is welcome. Today the law is used in flagrant violation of human rights, to attack religious minorities but also many Muslim citizens. A forum of Pakistani organizations calls for its abolition, but the Pakistani Government, which is currently experiencing difficulties in its political and economic governance, submits to the influence and pressures by religious parties. So the situation is deadlocked,” said Hasan to Fides.
Numerous Muslim and Christian activists have expressed their “thanks” to the Italian parliamentarians and civil society. Ayub Sajid, Christian, and chief of the NGO “Organisation for Development and Peace” affirms to Fides: “We are pleased with the support from Italy. Asia Bibi's case is a blatant case of injustice, so we need to raise our voices for her freedom. The blasphemy law is an issue which touches on the inalienable rights of every person and religious freedom. But here in Pakistan, today, every human rights activist who raises these issues risks his life, because fanaticism has grown and one may be killed just for asking for the repeal of the blasphemy law.”
The Masihi Foundation, which is providing Asia Bibi's legal defence, in appreciation of the Italian initiative declared to Fides: “The world is out of control if a poor woman, a farmhand, is put to death over a simple discussion over a glass of water. What happened to Asia Bibi continues to happen to others: we must unite and fight against all forms of fanaticism and terrorism. Let us save those who are victims of the blasphemy law because of their faith. We urgently need to find ways and strategies to put pressure on the Pakistani Government, so that she may be freed and so that what has happened to Asia does not happen to other innocent people.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides 26/1/2011)
