Colm Fitzpatrick
A protest and prayer vigil outside the Embassy of Pakistan will be held today to show solidarity with Asia Bibi, the Christian mother who was condemned to death under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws.
Organised by Irish charity Church in Chains, the peaceful protest will highlight the “dreadful injustice” the she has endured, and give Irish supporters a chance to pray for a positive outcome to her case.
Speaking in advance of the protest, David Turner, Director of Church in Chains, said: “We’re organising this vigil for two main reasons: To highlight the dreadful injustice that Asia Bibi has suffered in that she has been declared innocent by the highest court in Pakistan, released from prison but is still not free. Instead of being allowed leave the country as a free woman, she is still effectively a prisoner and her life and that of her family are in grave danger.
The second reason, he said, is: “To give Irish supporters an opportunity to gather at the Embassy of Pakistan to stand up for Asia Bibi and to pray for a breakthrough in this situation.”
Ms Bibi was in prison from 2009 until 2018, the first woman to be sentenced to death under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws. On October 31, she was acquitted of blasphemy by Pakistan’s Supreme Court and a week later she was released from prison and flown to Islamabad, capital of Pakistan, where she is being held under heavy security. Her acquittal sparked widespread protests by Muslim extremists demanding that she not be allowed to leave the country until judgment is given on a review petition filed against the Supreme Court acquittal by the original complainant. While Ms Bibi remains in Pakistan, she and her family face a real danger of being killed.
The peaceful protest will be held outside the Embassy of Pakistan, 1-B Ailesbury Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4 from 1.00 pm to 1.30 pm.