Asia Bibi
Encyclopedia
Asia Noreen is a Pakistani Christian
woman who was convicted of blasphemy by a Pakistani court
, receiving a sentence of death by hanging
. The verdict, which would need to be upheld by a superior court, has received worldwide attention. If executed, Noreen would be the first woman in Pakistan to be lawfully killed for blasphemy. Christian minister Shahbaz Bhatti
and Pakistani government politician Salmaan Taseer
were both killed for opposing the blasphemy laws.
, was asked to fetch water; she complied, but some of her Muslim fellow workers refused to drink the water as they considered Christians to be "unclean". Apparently some arguments ensued. There had already been a running feud between Noreen and a neighbour about some property damage. Later some coworkers complained to a cleric that Noreen made derogatory comments about Prophet Muhammad. A mob came to her house, beating her and members of her family before she was rescued by the police. However, the police initiated an investigation about her remarks, resulting in her arrest and prosecution under Section 295 C of the Pakistan Penal Code
. She spent more than a year in jail. In November 2010 Muhammed Naveed Iqbal, judge at the court of Sheikhupura
, Punjab, sentenced her to death by hanging. Additionally, a fine of an equivalent of $1,100 was imposed.
Noreen's husband, Aashiq Fauji Masih, 51 years old, plans to appeal the verdict, which has to be upheld by the Lahore High Court
.
As of November 2011, Asia Bibi remains in prison, more than 2 years after the alleged incident and one year after the death sentence.
called for clemency for Noreen, and the conviction has also been criticized by human rights groups. According to Human Rights Watch
researcher Ali Dyan Hasan, "The law creates this legal infrastructure which is then used in various informal ways to intimidate, coerce, harass and persecute."
, Noreen is likely to be pardoned if the High Court does not suspend the sentence. However, the local imam threatened that if she is pardoned or released, some people would "take the law into their own hands". Her family has received threats and has gone into hiding.
, the Governor of Punjab, Salmaan Taseer
, was assassinated by a member of his security team, Malik Mumtaz Hussein Qadri, because of his defence of Noreen and opposition to the blasphemy law. Taseer was outspoken in his criticism of the law and the verdict in the Asia Bibi case. The next day, thousands turned up for governor Salman Taseer's funeral in Lahore in spite of warnings by the Taliban and some clerics. Thousands of Muslims also rallied in support of the blasphemy laws in Pakistan after the murder.
Pakistan's Minority Affairs Minister Shahbaz Bhatti
, the only Christian member of Pakistan's cabinet, was also assassinated, on March 2, 2011, reportedly also for his position on blasphemy laws. He was shot dead by gunmen who ambushed his car near his residence in Islamabad.
On Sept. 9th 2011 VOM reports the 28-year-old son of murdered Punjab governor Salman Taseer was kidnapped Aug. 26. Authorities have no suspects, and no ransom demands had been made by Shahbaz Taseer’s kidnappers.
Christianity in Pakistan
Christianity is the largest religious minority in Pakistan. The total number of Christians in Pakistan is approximately 2,800,000 in 2008, or 1.6% of the population. Of these, approximately half are Roman Catholic and half Protestant...
woman who was convicted of blasphemy by a Pakistani court
Blasphemy law in Pakistan
The Pakistan Penal Code prohibits blasphemy against any recognized religion, providing penalties ranging from a fine to death. However, in practice, it is only applied to Islam. An accusation of blasphemy commonly subjects the accused, police, lawyers, and judges to harassment, threats, and attacks...
, receiving a sentence of death by hanging
Hanging
Hanging is the lethal suspension of a person by a ligature. The Oxford English Dictionary states that hanging in this sense is "specifically to put to death by suspension by the neck", though it formerly also referred to crucifixion and death by impalement in which the body would remain...
. The verdict, which would need to be upheld by a superior court, has received worldwide attention. If executed, Noreen would be the first woman in Pakistan to be lawfully killed for blasphemy. Christian minister Shahbaz Bhatti
Shahbaz Bhatti
Clement Shahbaz Bhatti , popularly known as Shahbaz Bhatti, was a Pakistani politician and elected member of the National Assembly from 2008. He was the first Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs from November 2008 until his assassination on 2 March 2011 in Islamabad...
and Pakistani government politician Salmaan Taseer
Salmaan Taseer
Salmaan Taseer was a Pakistani businessman and politician who served as the 26th governor of the province of Punjab from 2008 until his assassination in early 2011....
were both killed for opposing the blasphemy laws.
The case
In June 2009, Asia Noreen, a farm hand from the village of Ittan Wali in Sheikhupura DistrictSheikhupura District
Sheikhupura District is a district of Punjab province, Pakistan. Sheikhupura is the headquarters of Sheikhupura District. According to the 1998 census of Pakistan, the district had a population of 3,321,029 of which 25.45% were urban....
, was asked to fetch water; she complied, but some of her Muslim fellow workers refused to drink the water as they considered Christians to be "unclean". Apparently some arguments ensued. There had already been a running feud between Noreen and a neighbour about some property damage. Later some coworkers complained to a cleric that Noreen made derogatory comments about Prophet Muhammad. A mob came to her house, beating her and members of her family before she was rescued by the police. However, the police initiated an investigation about her remarks, resulting in her arrest and prosecution under Section 295 C of the Pakistan Penal Code
Blasphemy law in Pakistan
The Pakistan Penal Code prohibits blasphemy against any recognized religion, providing penalties ranging from a fine to death. However, in practice, it is only applied to Islam. An accusation of blasphemy commonly subjects the accused, police, lawyers, and judges to harassment, threats, and attacks...
. She spent more than a year in jail. In November 2010 Muhammed Naveed Iqbal, judge at the court of Sheikhupura
Sheikhupura
Sheikhupura or Shekhupur , formerly Kot Dayal Das or Singhpuria or Virkgarh , is an industrial city in the province of Punjab slightly northwest to Lahore in Pakistan. It is known for its historical places, and is commonly known locally as Qila Shaikhupura, because of the fort in the city,...
, Punjab, sentenced her to death by hanging. Additionally, a fine of an equivalent of $1,100 was imposed.
Noreen's husband, Aashiq Fauji Masih, 51 years old, plans to appeal the verdict, which has to be upheld by the Lahore High Court
Lahore High Court
The Lahore High Court is based in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan. It was established as a high court on March 21, 1919. The Lahore High Court has jurisdiction over Punjab...
.
As of November 2011, Asia Bibi remains in prison, more than 2 years after the alleged incident and one year after the death sentence.
International response
Pope Benedict XVIPope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
called for clemency for Noreen, and the conviction has also been criticized by human rights groups. According to Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch
Human Rights Watch is an international non-governmental organization that conducts research and advocacy on human rights. Its headquarters are in New York City and it has offices in Berlin, Beirut, Brussels, Chicago, Geneva, Johannesburg, London, Los Angeles, Moscow, Paris, San Francisco, Tokyo,...
researcher Ali Dyan Hasan, "The law creates this legal infrastructure which is then used in various informal ways to intimidate, coerce, harass and persecute."
Possible presidential pardon
According to the Governor of Punjab who investigated the affair for the President Asif Ali ZardariAsif Ali Zardari
Asif Ali Zardari is the 11th and current President of Pakistan and the Co-Chairman of the ruling Pakistan Peoples Party . He is also the widower of Benazir Bhutto, who served two nonconsecutive terms as Prime Minister....
, Noreen is likely to be pardoned if the High Court does not suspend the sentence. However, the local imam threatened that if she is pardoned or released, some people would "take the law into their own hands". Her family has received threats and has gone into hiding.
Assassinations for comments on Noreen
On January 4, 2011, at Kohsar Market of IslamabadIslamabad
Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan and the tenth largest city in the country. Located within the Islamabad Capital Territory , the population of the city has grown from 100,000 in 1951 to 1.7 million in 2011...
, the Governor of Punjab, Salmaan Taseer
Salmaan Taseer
Salmaan Taseer was a Pakistani businessman and politician who served as the 26th governor of the province of Punjab from 2008 until his assassination in early 2011....
, was assassinated by a member of his security team, Malik Mumtaz Hussein Qadri, because of his defence of Noreen and opposition to the blasphemy law. Taseer was outspoken in his criticism of the law and the verdict in the Asia Bibi case. The next day, thousands turned up for governor Salman Taseer's funeral in Lahore in spite of warnings by the Taliban and some clerics. Thousands of Muslims also rallied in support of the blasphemy laws in Pakistan after the murder.
Pakistan's Minority Affairs Minister Shahbaz Bhatti
Shahbaz Bhatti
Clement Shahbaz Bhatti , popularly known as Shahbaz Bhatti, was a Pakistani politician and elected member of the National Assembly from 2008. He was the first Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs from November 2008 until his assassination on 2 March 2011 in Islamabad...
, the only Christian member of Pakistan's cabinet, was also assassinated, on March 2, 2011, reportedly also for his position on blasphemy laws. He was shot dead by gunmen who ambushed his car near his residence in Islamabad.
On Sept. 9th 2011 VOM reports the 28-year-old son of murdered Punjab governor Salman Taseer was kidnapped Aug. 26. Authorities have no suspects, and no ransom demands had been made by Shahbaz Taseer’s kidnappers.
See also
- Human rights in PakistanHuman rights in PakistanPakistan’s human rights record has dramatically improved since the reforms that took place after the tenure of President Zia-ul-Haq in 1988. The situation of human rights in Pakistan is a complex one, as a result of the country's diversity, large population, its status as a developing country and a...
- Christianity in PakistanChristianity in PakistanChristianity is the largest religious minority in Pakistan. The total number of Christians in Pakistan is approximately 2,800,000 in 2008, or 1.6% of the population. Of these, approximately half are Roman Catholic and half Protestant...
- Christianity in Punjab, PakistanChristianity in Punjab, PakistanMost Christians of Pakistan live in Punjab province. The vast majority of the population of the province is Muslim. The churches in Lahore include Cathedral Church of Resurrection, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Lahore, St. Andrew's Church, Lahore, St. Anthony's Church, Lahore and St. Joseph’s Church,...
- Qamar DavidQamar DavidQamar David was a Pakistani Christian convicted of blasphemy who died on March 15, 2011 under suspicious circumstances in a jail in Karachi, Pakistan.-Background:...
External links
- Your signature to save Asia Bibi and Pakistan, AsiaNews.it.
- Online petition drive launched by The Voice of the Martyrs to call for Asia's release, www.CallForMercy.com