ICC Note:

As Asia Bibi, a Christian on death row for allegedly committing blasphemy in Pakistan, approaches her final appeal date, Christians around the world and stepping up to call for her release. As ICC reported in August, Bibi’s final supreme court appeal is set to be scheduled for the second week of October. In 2009, Bibi was accused of committing blasphemy by Muslim coworkers who were offended that Bibi, a Christian, had used the same water bowl as Muslims. A confrontation broke out over the issue and Bibi’s coworkers accused Bibi of making derogatory remarks against Muhammad. Since then, Bibi has been imprisoned, found guilty, and sentenced to death. 

09/26/2016 Pakistan (Christian Today) – Christian organizations are stepping up the pressure on Pakistan to acquit Asia Bibi and repeal the country’s draconian blasphemy laws.

As her appeal approaches in October, Release International is calling for Bibi to be acquitted.

A farm laborer who was sentenced to death for blasphemy after a dispute with colleagues over bringing them “unclean” water, she has been on death row since 2009. Her family has been forced into hiding.

The appeal will be heard by Lahore’s Supreme Court in Pakistan.

Release is calling for people to sign its petition to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to abolish the “iniquitous” blasphemy laws.

More than 150,000 Christians have also signed a separate Call For Mercy petition pleading for her life.

Release International, which serves persecuted Christians around the world, called on the Prime Minister of Pakistan to repeal the blasphemy laws, which “are often invoked to take revenge, incite violent attacks and eliminate rivals,” the charity said.

Chief executive Paul Robinson said: “We call on the government of Pakistan to abolish the blasphemy laws and seek to create a society where every Pakistani citizen is free to exercise their faith and live in peace with their neighbors.”

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