by Jibran Khan
The Italian foreign minister, Franco Frattini makes statements of cautious optimism: "We may have saved her." A Pakistani minister yesterday called for a new investigation and a fair examination of the appeal in favour of the Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy. Even Amnesty International joins the campaign for her liberation.
Lahore (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini has expressed his hope that the case of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy in Pakistan may have a happy ending. "We may have saved her - the foreign minister said -. I do not want to be too optimistic, but we have managed to obtain an important concession from the Pakistani government, ie the competent minister has apparently ordered a repeat t investigation." "We asked them to change the law on blasphemy," said Frattini. "The government of Pakistan realizes that there was probably something wrong in the first investigation that accused the woman of blasphemy. which in Pakistan is punishable with death," said the head of Italian diplomatic service. "There will be a new trial before a court of first instance, then possibly an appeal and then the Supreme Court". Frattini pointed out finally that" The commitment to change the law on blasphemy came from the Pakistani prime minister, who understood that is in the interest of Pakistan to ensure freedom for all religions, including Christianity, "concluded the Foreign Minister.And confirming Frattini's statements, yesterday the minister of Pakistani minorities, Shahbaz Bhatti said: "We asked the Punjab government to ensure that this process before the Supreme Court is fair. And she must be kept safe in prison where she is located". Lawyers for Asia Bibi believe she "was accused without any evidence, and that the first trial was not conducted according to the rules. We asked the Punjab government to conduct a new investigation in accordance with the law, " said minister Bhatti.
The National Commission on the Status of Women in Pakistan (Ncsw) and the Association Life for All in a joint statement condemned the ruling whereby Asia Bibi was sentenced to death and a fine of 100 thousand rupees. But her lawyers point out, though illiterate, she is accused of citing numerous examples from the key texts of Islam to insult Mohammed. The two groups have examined the case, and denounced "gross irregularities in the investigation." The accusation is false, they say, and it is the personal vendetta of a landowner. The statement calls for Asia Bibi, who has already spent a year in solitary confinement, to be released, and given adequate protection.
Amnesty International today appealed for the release of Asia Bibi, the Pakistani Christian sentenced to death for blasphemy. In particular, the association has called on President Asif Ali Zardari to take action to revoke the death penalty'' in accordance with the powers conferred on him by Article 45 of the Pakistani constitution.''
Meanwhile, an increasing number of people have decided to join the campaign launched by AsiaNews, under the title: "Saving Asia Bibi." We continue to receive mail for adherence to the campaign and to date the total figure, three days after the launch of the campaign, has exceeded three thousand.