High hopes for Asia Bibi in
her death sentence appeal
 |
| Asia Bibi. |
Pakistan's Supreme Court on October 8 postponed its ruling
on the final appeal by Asia Bibi, the Catholic woman who has been on death row
since 2010, accused of insulting Prophet Muhammad, an allegation she denies.
By Robin Gomes
The judicial panel of Pakistan
Supreme Court on Monday began hearing the appeal of Asia Bibi, with
defense lawyer Saiful Malook challenging statements by those
who accused her of insulting Islam's prophet, an allegation she
denies.
While postponing its ruling on her appeal,
the Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar cautioned the
media against commenting on or discussing the case until the detailed judgement
has been issued.
No date has been announced by the court about when it will
announce the verdict.
On a hot day in June 2009 in Sheikhpura,
Bibi went to get water for her and her fellow farmworkers.
After she took a sip, some of the Muslim women became angry that a Christian
had drunk from the same container. They demanded she convert, she
refused. Five days later, a mob accused her of blasphemy. She was arrested and
imprisoned.
In November 2010, a Sheikhupura judge sentenced
her to death. If executed, Noreen would be the first woman in Pakistan to be
lawfully killed for blasphemy.
Ahead of the hearing, lawyer Saiful Malook expressed optimism that
he would win the last legal appeal for Asia Bibi. But if not, he planned
to seek a review, which could take years to complete.
Blasphemy laws
So far nobody has been convicted under blasphemy laws which
were introduced by former military dictator Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq in 1980s.
Insulting the Prophet Muhammad in Pakistan is a
crime punishable by death, while offending the Koran,
Islam holy book, incurs life imprisonment.
The blasphemy laws remain an extremely sensitive issue in
the predominantly Muslim nation and they have drawn intense criticism even
within the country. Rights organizations say the law is often misused to
settle personal scores.
Influential Punjab governor Salman Taseer and
the Minister for Minorities Affairs, Shahbaz Bhatti, a Catholic, were
both assassinated in 2011 after they defended Asia Bibi and spoke out against
her death sentence and the misuse of the blasphemy laws.
“I’m very hopeful and confident” that the Supreme Court give
its verdict in favour of Asia Bibi, said Dr. Paul Bhatti, the brother
of Shabaz Bhatti. Speaking from Treviso in north Italy, where he is a
surgeon and medical practitioner, Paul said he was not sure whether Bibi
will be released immediately, but it will definitely be an important step to
“release her soon”.
Dr. Bhatti believes Asia Bibi is innocent and
her case is genuine. He said many in Pakistan feel Bibi has been “falsely
accused”.
Credible Chief Justice of Pakistan
Dr. Bhatti who has taken up the mission of his slain
brother, has high hopes in the Chief Justice of Pakistan, saying he
is “a very courageous man” who has recently taken “bold and
strong steps”. He regretted that in the past, some of the
judges did not show courage, giving in pressure from extremists.
As a case in point, he pointed to a previous bench that
handed the death sentence to Mumtaz Qadri, the assassin of Salman
Taseer, “a very good Muslim and a well-known politician”. And
recently, former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and
his brother, Shehbaz, were served sentences on charges of
corruption.
Speaking about Pakistan’s new Prime Minister, Imran
Khan, about whom there have been some “contradictory remarks”, Dr. Bhatti
said in some of his statements he has spoken very clearly about protecting
the poor and minority communities.
Besides, there is also pressure from the international
and diplomatic communities, all of which, Dr. Bhatti said, indicate that
Pakistan’s judiciary will release Asia Bibi.
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