MRG welcomes decision to uphold blasphemy acquittal of Asia Bibi

Minority Rights Group International (MRG) applauds Pakistan’s Supreme Court for upholding its earlier decision to overturn the conviction and death sentence of Asia Bibi, a Roman Catholic woman who spent eight years in prison facing execution on blasphemy charges.

‘The fact that the Supreme Court upheld Bibi’s acquittal is a further positive step for Christians in Pakistan,’ says Joshua Castellino, Executive Director of Minority Rights Group International. ‘Her case highlights the clear dangers with blasphemy laws. The Supreme Court’s decision sets a precedent when facing future wrongful accusations against religious minorities not only in Pakistan, but the world.’

 Sajid Christopher Paul of the Lahore-based Human Friends Organization adds that, ‘The petition has been dismissed by the Supreme Court. Congratulations, Asia is completely free. Justice and truth prevailed.’

Bibi was sentenced to death in 2010 after a quarrel with two Muslim women who refused to drink water out of a container from which Bibi drank. When they demanded she convert to Islam, she refused, prompting a mob to later accuse her of insulting the prophet Mohammed. After a protracted legal battle, the Supreme Court acquitted Bibi at the end of October 2018. However, a review petition was filed by the cleric who had initially brought the complaint against her. Although Bibi was released from jail after the acquittal, she was later taken into protective custody, following violent demonstrations.

‘Bibi must now be allowed to reunite with her family and seek safety in a country of her choice. She has been dealing with this ordeal for ten years and she must not wait any longer to be free,’ says Castellino.

Additionally, MRG calls on the authorities in Pakistan to exercise their duty to protect and investigate threats made against religious minorities and anyone involved in her case, including her lawyers and the Supreme Court judges.

Notes to editors

• See MRGI’s Reports from Pakistan: Tracing the challenges facing religious minorities
• Read the report: Searching for Security: The Rising Marginalization of Religious Communities in Pakistan
• Minority Rights Group International is the leading international human rights organization working to secure the rights of ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities and indigenous peoples. We work with more than 150 partners in over 50 countries.

For more information, contact the MRG Press Office on [email protected].