Pakistan Supreme Court to hear Christian woman's blasphemy case
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 22 July 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Pakistan Supreme Court to hear Christian woman's blasphemy case, 22 July 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/55ee95e915.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
July 22, 2015
Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian woman who has been sentenced to death for blasphemy. (file photo)
Pakistan's Supreme Court has suspended the execution of a Christian woman convicted of blasphemy.
Asia Bibi's lawyer said the court will soon begin hearing an appeal against her conviction.
Bibi, a mother of five, was arrested in 2009.
She has been on death row since November 2010 after she was found guilty of making derogatory remarks about the Prophet Muhammad during an argument with a Muslim woman.
Bibi's death sentence was confirmed in October 2014 by the high court in the eastern city of Lahore.
The case brought international criticism of Pakistan's blasphemy laws, which were introduced in the 1980s.
Rights activists have urged Pakistan to repeal the legislation, arguing it is often used to settle personal disputes.
The issue is so sensitive that even unproven allegations can provoke mob violence.
Based on reporting by Reuters, AFP, and dpa
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
