Chai Brady
The daughters of Asia Bibi pose with a photo of their mother at their residence. The Irish Government should “be working tirelessly” to offer Asia Bibi asylum here according to a group who fight Christian persecution after another effort to prevent her release was batted away.
Pakistan’s Supreme Court dismissed a petition seeking a review of the verdict that acquitted Ms Bibi of blasphemy on Tuesday. The National Director of Aid to the Church in Need, Michael Kinsella, said: “It shows that mob justice has not prevailed over both common sense and human rights.”
“It shows that the judiciary of Pakistan, bravely in my view, under immense existential and legal pressures have made the right decision for a persecuted minority in their country.”
Ms Bibi was imprisoned for eight years, mostly in solitary confinement, for false blasphemy allegations. She was released in November but her movements have been kept secret by the government due to massive protests and threats against her life.
“I would emphatically back the petition of any western nation to bring Asia Bibi to any country within the EU, and I think not only the Irish Government but the EU as a political body should be working tirelessly on this issue,” said Mr Kinsella.
“It’s not just about Asia Bibi. It’s about the many persecuted Christians who are suffering under these circumstances.”
Ms Bibi is still on the ‘no fly’ list, trapping her in Pakistan. Mr Kinsella described it as essentially “house arrest”, and that it was another case in which “a Christian’s life, livelihood and welfare are held hostage because of political expediency”.