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| Asia Bibi have already spent 8 years in Jail now acquitted by the Supreme Court of Pakistan |
The Asia Bibi Blasphemy Case
Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian woman, mother of four, from Punjab province, Aasiya Noreen (Urdu: آسیہ نورین — Āsiyaah Naurīn [ˈɑːsiɑː nɔːˈriːn], born c. 1971;[1] better known as آسیہ بی بی Asia Bibi). Asia was convicted of blasphemy in 2010 and sentenced to hang after she was accused of defiling the name of the Prophet Mohammad during an argument the year before with a group of Muslim women with whom she had been harvesting berries. The argument began the other women had objected and refused to drink water from the bowl that a non-Muslim woman touched, referencing the caste system in Pakistan. Subsequently she was accused of insulting Islamic Prophet Mohammad, but Asia denies the charge. She was arrested and imprisoned in November, 2010. Interestingly a Sheikhupura judge sentenced her to death by hanging. The verdict had received worldwide attention.
Twist of the Case
The complainants had heated arguments with Asia Bibi, which she called the case was a matter of women who did not like her. The case could be reasonably suspected of having dragged her to the court out of malice.
It should be noted that the first and formal police complaint was lodged at-least five days after the incident which added further suspicions that evidence could have been fabricated.
And as if that were not enough, some glaring disparities emerged in the disposition of different witnesses about the specifics of the actual incident.
As in many countries, Pakistan's criminal justice system puts the burden of proof on the prosecution. It applies strict rules of evidence to ensure the case is proved beyond all reasonable doubt.
The slightest deficiency anywhere along the process translates into a benefit for the defendant. But. for eight long years, this was not what happened in Asia's case.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan Verdict
On 31st October, 2018, Pakistan's Supreme Court overturned the conviction of Asia Bibi, who was in a death row for eight years for blasphemy, a land mark verdict that sparked nationwide protests, death threats from hardliners and cheers from human rights advocates.
It is clear from the Wednesday's verdict , the case ought not to have delayed, traveled beyond the trial court stage in Sheikhupura district back in 2010. Asia Bibi always maintained her innocence, but has spent most of the past eight years in solitary confinement.
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| Hardliners protesting against the verdict of Asia Bibi Blasphemy Case across Pakistan |
The delay followed threats by blasphemy campaigners to hold protests.
In the his judgement Nisar said
Keeping in mind the evidence produced by the prosecution, against the alleged blasphemy committed by the appellant, the prosecution has categorically failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.Asia Bibi, now can walk free from jail in Sheikhupura, near Lahore, immediately if not wanted in connection with any other case, Nissar mentioned.
Tensions and Aftermath of the Case
In January, 2011, a PPP leader and Governor of Pakistan's most powerful province Punjab - Salman Taseer was gunned down by one of his religiously inclined bodyguards. As Taseer had visited Asia Bibi in jail, sympathized with her and expressed a desire to reform blasphemy law.
A couple of months later, Pakistan's Minister for Minority Affairs, Shahbaz Bhatti was shot dead for making similar remarks.
These incidents put Asia's case on the anvil of the religious lobby, with anti-blasphemy vigilant groups vowing to draw her blood or that of the judges who would dare let her go.
It is obvious that lower court judges are less protected and more exposed to threats from vigilant groups - which is why most blasphemy cases end in convictions at the trial stage - a majority of the cases reaching the high court level are quashed, due to absence of strong evidence.
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| Asia Bibi Acquitted but facing death threat from the Hardliners |
Asia Bibi was the first woman who was given death sentence under the blasphemy law According to officials, Asia Bibi might be flown out of Pakistan due to threat to her life. It is not clear where she will go as several countries, including Canada have offered asylum to her.
The timing of her release has not been shares due to security reasons.
The blasphemy laws were promulgated by former military dictator Ziaul Haq in 1980s. A person convicted under these laws is given death sentence. While reading out the judgement Nisar said,
Her conviction is set aside and she is to be relieved forthwith... Tolerance is the basic principle of Islam.There is tight security in the capital Islamabad and other parts of Pakistan due to ongoing agitation by the Hardliner Islamic Groups. Angry Protests erupted in Pakistan following the verdict.
The Red Zone in capital Islamabad, where the Supreme Court is located gas been sealed off by the police and paramilitary forces have been deployed to keep protesters away from the court.
Punjab, the country's most populous province is on high alert and its Home Department banned all kinds of public gatherings until November' 10. Tehreek-e-Labbaik (TLP) Pakistan, an Islamic Political Party is leading the protest in Lahore where large number of activists gathered on the Mall Road. Protests are also being held in Karachi and other cities by groups linked with religious parties.
Protest Against Asia Case #AsiaBibiCase pic.twitter.com/H7FPBnWfW6— Muhammad Uzair (@Muhamma35791282) November 2, 2018
forgotten
“O mankind, your transgression
(injustice, evildoing)
is only against yourself!”
(Quran 10:23)
However, the Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan is taking strong stand against the protesters. He warns protesters in tough words
I ask these elements (protestors) to avoid confronting the State. But if they opted to do so, the State will fulfill its responsibilities.
We will protect life and property of people...We will not let them (protestors) involve in vandalism or close down the roads
Meanwhile they looted this little kid, yet another painful side of protests across Pakistan. O Allah please help us.#Protest #Pakistan #AsiaBibi #AsiaBibiVerdict #AsiaBibiCase #LawAndOrder #ISPR @ImranKhanPTI #JummahMubarak #يوم_الجمعه pic.twitter.com/Gjc5jIMazc— Muhammad Yousuf (@MYousufSoomro) November 2, 2018
Asia Bibi's plea was not heard during her prosecution
Asia denied that she had committed blasphemy and said that she has been framed and accused by her neighbor to settle an old dispute in November 2010.
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| Asia Bibi cried alone |
With the verdict Asia became shocked for victimization. Almost illiterate and a farm worker and a mother of four children lost all hope. She described the day of her sentencing as
I cried alone, putting my head in my hands. I can no longer bear the sight of people full of hatred, applauding the killing of a poor farm worker. I no longer see them, but I still hear them, the crowd who gave the judge a standing ovation, saying: "Kill her, kill her! Allahu Akbar!" The court house is invaded by a euphoric horde who break down the doors, chanting: "Vengeance for the holy prophet. Allah is great!" I was then thrown like an old rubbish sack into the van... I had lost all humanity in their eyes
forgotten
"Kind speech and forgiveness
is better than charity
followed by injury.”
(Qur’an 2:263)
That time her husband Ashiq Masih announced that he planned to appeal the verdict, which has to be upheld by the Lahore High Court. A month later, Salmaan Taseer, the governor of Punjab who investigated the affair for the President Asif Ali Zardari, stated that Noreen would most likely be pardoned if the High Court did not suspend the sentence. Zardari was poised to grant pardon, but Lahore High Court issued a stay order against potential Presidential pardon, which remains in force till date.Court transcripts show numerous inconsistencies in the evidence presented and reporters say they dare not repeat Bibi's testimony lest they also be accused of blasphemy
forgotten
“Forgive and let go.
Don’t you like it if Allah forgives you?
Allah is Most Forgiving,
Most Merciful”
(Qur’an 24 : 22)
Polarization
Asia Bibi's death sentence drew international outrage. and strong condemnation from non-governmental organizations defending her as well as human rights group such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch who saw the blasphemy laws as a form of religious persecution and called for them to be abolished.
forgotten
“Never think that God is unaware
of what evildoers do.
He only delays
them (their punishment)
for a Day when eyes will
stare (in horror)”.
(Quran 14:42)
Amnesty International researcher Rabia Mehmood says that one of the reasons of Asia Bibi case has become so polarizing and controversial is the Pakistani Government's failure to take
effective measures to curb the campaign of hate and violence incited by certain groups in the country following her conviction, in fact the state has shown immense tolerance for the narratives of hate
She previously highlighted a tweet by a media organization close to TLP, which last year led to anti-blasphemy protests, warning the court to
think carefully before taking the decision
Mehmood adds
We can only hope that (the Asia Bibi case) becomes a watershed moment when it comes to blasphemy laws in Pakistan
A verdict in Asia Bibi's favor spelled
out a message of hope and will be a step in addressing human rights abuses, religiously motivated discrimination and violence targeted at religious minorities and even Muslims who are accused of committing blasphemy
Asia Bibi's case has become rallying call across the world. Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) led prayers for Asia Bibi's release last week in the UK, at ceremony attended by her husband Ashiq Masih and daughter Eisham Ashiq.
Father Emmanuel Yousaf said in a statement from the group
We have prayed 10 years now for our sister, Asia, and I am confident that our prayers will be heard, and the judgment will go in favor of Asia, her family and the entire Pakistani Christian community
In her 2012 book Get Me Out of Here Asia Bibi included a letter to her family urging them to
keep courage or faith in Jesus Christ
