As the Supreme Court upheld its October 31, 2018 verdict of acquitting Aasia Bibi in a blasphemy case, Amnesty International, the human rights watchdog, lauded the court and said that the acquittal “finally clears the path to her freedom – one that has been riddled with injustice, violence, and intimidation”.
On Tuesday, the top court dismissed a petition seeking review of its October 31, 2018 verdict acquitting Aasia Bibi, a Christian woman who was sentenced to death in a blasphemy case, saying that the petitioner was unable to pinpoint any mistake in the earlier verdict.
On October 31, 2018, the apex court had acquitted Aasia Bibi, who was facing a death sentence for blasphemy and ordered to release her from prison immediately. Following the acquittal verdict, protests had erupted in several cities and later a settlement had been reached by filing a review petition in the top court and placing her name on the Exit Control List (ECL).
The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold #AsiaBibi‘s acquittal finally clears the path to her freedom – one that has been riddled with injustice, violence and intimidation. She must now be reunited with her family without delay and seek safety in a country of her choice. #Pakistan
— Amnesty International South Asia (@amnestysasia) January 29, 2019
“After nine years behind bars for a crime she didn’t commit, it is difficult to see this long overdue verdict as justice. But she should now be free to reunite with her family and seek safety in a country of her choice.”, AI’s official Twitter handle quoted Rimmel Mohydin, Amnesty’s South Asia campaigner as saying.
“After nine years behind bars for a crime she didn’t commit, it is difficult to see this long overdue verdict as justice. But she should now be free to reunite with her family and seek safety in a country of her choice.” – says @Rimmel_Mohydin, South Asia Campaigner, @amnesty
— Amnesty International South Asia (@amnestysasia) January 29, 2019
“The authorities must also resist and investigate any attempts to intimidate the Supreme Court. They have a duty to protect against threats of violence to harm religious minorities or the lives of judges or other government officials,” the statement concluded.
“The authorities must also resist and investigate any attempts to intimidate the Supreme Court. They have a duty to protect against threats of violence to harm religious minorities or the lives of judges or other government officials.” #AsiaBibi
— Amnesty International South Asia (@amnestysasia) January 29, 2019
