ICC Note:

Protests and demonstrations broke out across Pakistan following the first hearing by the Supreme Court regarding the death sentences of Asia Bibi. Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death under Pakistan’s notorious blasphemy law, has had the process for her final appeal start. On Thursday, Pakistan’s Supreme Court held the first hearing regarding her case, but took the occasion only to allow one of the three judges to recuse himself from the case. Following this delay, protests against Bibi and in support of Pakistan’s blasphemy law broke out. 

10/17/2016 Pakistan (Asia News) – Sunni Muslim groups have coordinated mass demonstrations across Pakistan, chanting slogans and displaying signs that read “#HangAsia”. Their protests were sparked by the Supreme Court decision to postpone the decision on the case of Asia Bibi, the Christian woman, a mother of five, sentenced to death for blasphemy, and still waiting for the judgement in her final appeal.

Hundreds of members and supporters of Tehreek-e-Labaik Ya Rasool Allah have gathered this week in Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore to protest against the woman, now in prison for six years on charges of violating the “Black law”.

“It will be a war if accursed Asia escapes. We are united to guard the honor of Rasool Allah, we are His servants. Was Pakistan formed to hang the lovers and spare blasphemers. Why is Asia Bibi not hanged even after death sentence by Lahore High Court and Supreme Court. The government will pay if it acts on foreign agenda and betrays us”, Mukhtar, donning a white turban, told AsiaNews.

He is one of many protesters who took to the streets in Lahore, outside the offices of the Press Club, in defense of the blasphemy laws and for the hanging of the Christian woman.

Meanwhile, a high ranking Punjab judge has offered to become part of the appeals panel and sya he would confirm the death penalty issued in the first instance by the High Court of Lahore. “I have long studied the case – the Assistant Attorney General Chaudhry Ahmad Zubair Farooq said yesterday – and overwhelming evidence and testimonies have emerged against the defendant.”

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