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| India-Pakistan |
| Protesters oppose pardon for Aasia Bibi |
| 2010-11-25 |
| [Dawn] Around 250 people staged a demonstration in the central Pak city of Lahore on Wednesday, warning the president not to pardon a Christian woman sentenced to death for insulting Islam. They also denounced any attempt to change Pakistain's blasphemy law, which critics say is often misused to persecute Christians like Aasia Bibi and other minorities. Her case has prompted outrage from human rights ... which are not the same thing as individual rights, mind you... groups and a personal appeal from Pope Benedict XVI for her release. But Islamic groups in Pakistain have pushed back and some have even threatened officials in the past who suggested reforming or repealing the blasphemy law. These groups have significant power since politicians from the major parties rely on them for votes. "We are ready to sacrifice our life for the Prophet Muhammad," chanted protesters in Lahore _ many of whom were students from Islamic seminaries in the city. The rally was organized by the Movement for Protection of the Prophet's Honor, a group of Sunni Mohammedans that was formed in 2001 to oppose changes in the blasphemy law. Bibi, a 45-year-old mother of five, has said she was falsely accused by a group of Mohammedan women angry at a dispute over whether they could share the same water bowl. She has been jugged in the eastern province of Punjab since her initial arrest 1 1/2 years ago. A court sentenced her Nov. 8 to hang after convicting her of insulting the Prophet. It is the first time a woman has been condemned to death under Pakistain's blasphemy law, often criticized as being abused to inflame extremism and settle personal grudges. Her lawyer has filed an appeal with a higher court in Lahore, but she could also be pardoned by the president. Pak President Asif Ali President Ten PercentZardari ... husband of the late Benazir Bhutto, who showed remarkably little curiosity about who actually done her in ... has asked for a review of the facts of the case, raising the possibility of a presidential pardon. |
| Posted by:Fred |