House Of Commons Calls On Pakistan To Release Christian Woman
ICC Note
Asia Bibi has been sentenced to death after her Muslim colleagues accused her of blaspheming Muhammad. We welcome Canada’s decision to call for Asia’s release. We urge the rest of the international community to pressure Pakistan to release Asia. 
By Deborah Gyapong
12/12/2011 Pakistan (CCN)-Canada’s Parliament has called on Pakistan to release a Christian woman who faces a possible death sentence under that country’s blasphemy laws.
On Dec. 8, the House of Commons unanimously passed the following motion: “That, the House of Commons joins the Senate of Canada in calling upon the Government of Pakistan to immediately release Ms. Asia Bibi, to ensure her safety and well-being, to hear the outcry of the international community and to respect the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.”
The motion, tabled by Liberal MP Irwin Cotler, was welcomed by International Christian Voice (ICV), a religious freedom organization founded by Peter Bhatti, the brother of the former Pakistani Minorities Minister Shahbaz Bhatti assassinated in March.
Bhatti was the second highly-ranked Pakistani official who was assassinated for speaking against the blasphemy laws. On Jan. 4, Punjab province governor Salmaan Taseer was killed by his own bodyguard for defence of Bibi.
“International Christian Voice along with the religious minorities of Pakistan, strongly appreciate the Canadian government for approving a motion calling upon the Government of Pakistan for the immediate release of Asia Bibi and to repeal its blasphemy laws,” said Peter Bhatti in a news release. “We feel very proud and blessed to be a part of a country that fights for justice and religious freedom not only for Canadians but for all. Canada continues to stand as a champion of human rights, democracy and religious freedom.”
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“The history of humanity has proven that religious freedom and democratic freedom are inseparable,” Baird said in a statement.
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“At the time, the Government of Canada registered its concerns with Pakistan at high levels,” Dechert said. “We have also called on the Government of Pakistan to repeal laws criminalizing blasphemy, which restrict religious freedom and expression and have disproportionately targeted religious minorities.”
“We remember the brave stance taken by Governor Taseer and Minister Shahbaz Bhatti, both of whom have paid the ultimate sacrifice for their promotion of the rights of religious minorities, tolerance, and legal reforms,” he said.
Dechert said human right promotion and protection remain integral to Canada’s foreign policy.
The Foreign Affairs ministry has been conducting consultations on the Office of Religious Freedom but no date has been announced for its establishment.
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