{UAH} Asia Bibi: Christian leaves Pakistan after blasphemy acquittal
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Christian mother of 5, Asia Bibi, has finally landed in Canada after a 10 year nightmare. For 10 years, I and thousands of human rights workers from all over the world have stood by her. Her campaign is by far one of the biggest ever run by Amnesty International and other human rights organisations. Asia Bibi became the poster woman for the suffering of religious minorities, especially of Christians in the muslim countries. Whenever you spoke of the oppression of Christians anywhere in the world, Asia Bibi's face would pop up. No single person has brought the suffering of Christians to the attention of the world in such graphic detail.
No human rights case is ever a matter for celebration, but Asia Bibi's long campaign certainly brought out the best in those of us who campaign for a better world and for an end to human suffering. We never gave up, even when the prospects of her salvation looked bleak. We kept the light burning and its flames flickering. Even in the darkest hours when Asia Bibi was led out of her cell to be beheaded, we never gave up, and used all legal, diplomatic and political tools available to us. We never ever entertained the thought of surrendering to the muslim savages who infest much of Pakistan life. We were convinced justice would prevail and Asia Bibi would be free.
Asia Bibi's salvation is the victory of humanity over savagery, and the triumph of love over hate. It is also a warning to all those who want to use religion, especially the religion of Islam, to oppress, torture, mistreat, humiliate and kill those who belong to other faiths or religions or those who reject Islam. Muslims must open their eyes and hearts to modern civilisation and hear the cries of those who want to practice their chosen religion peacefully and without hurting the feelings of anyone. Islam must stop being a barbaric religion of hate, oppression, forced conversion, criminality, murder and human suffering. It must end the persecution of all religious minorities and free the millions who are currently trapped in the muslim countries in the Arab world and in countries like Nigeria. Islam must set all its captives free, just as it has set Asia Bibi free today.
Bobby
Asia Bibi: Christian leaves Pakistan after blasphemy acquittal
Asia Bibi spent years in solitary confinement after her convictionAsia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian woman who spent years on death row after being convicted of blasphemy, has left the country, officials have confirmed.
Her conviction was overturned last year by the Supreme Court.
She was originally convicted in 2010 after being accused of insulting the Prophet Muhammad in a row with her neighbours.
Asia Bibi has always maintained her innocence in a case that has polarised Pakistan.
Pakistani government officials did not reveal her destination, or say when she left.
But her lawyer Saif ul Malook told the BBC she had already arrived in Canada, where two of her daughters are understood to have been granted asylum.
Asia Noreen - commonly known as Asia Bibi - was kept at a secret location while arrangements were made for her to leave the country.
The Supreme Court's quashing of her sentence last October led to violent protests by religious hardliners who support strong blasphemy laws, while more liberal sections of society urged her release.
- The long ordeal of Asia Bibi
- Acquitted of blasphemy and living in fear
- What are Pakistan's blasphemy laws?
- Why are Pakistan's Christians targeted?
What was she accused of?
The trial stems from an argument Asia Bibi had with a group of women in June 2009.
They were harvesting fruit when a row broke out about a bucket of water. The women said that because she had used a cup, they could no longer touch it, as her faith had made it unclean.
Prosecutors alleged that in the row which followed, the women said Asia Bibi should convert to Islam and that she made offensive comments about the Prophet Muhammad in response.
She was later beaten up at her home, during which her accusers say she confessed to blasphemy. She was arrested after a police investigation.
Acquitting her, the Supreme Court said that the case was based on unreliable evidence and her confession was delivered in front of a crowd "threatening to kill her".
How embarrassing has this been for Pakistan?
Analysis by Ilyas Khan, BBC News, Islamabad
The Pakistani government's muted, though willing, admission of Asia Bibi's departure indicates the closure of a case that brought the country much embarrassment. There is also a sense that justice may finally have been done in an area where religious fanaticism has long overruled due process.
Asia Bibi is one among hundreds of Pakistani citizens who have been charged with blasphemy over the past few decades.
But her case stood out when a prominent politician and governor of the country's largest province, Salman Taseer, was murdered in 2011. He had publicly expressed sympathy for her and vowed to reform the blasphemy law.
This propelled her to the centre of a raging controversy.
It was international attention which ultimately forced the Pakistani authorities to work behind the scenes to neutralise the forces that were expected to kick up a fuss if she were freed.
Read more from Ilyas: Asia Bibi: Pakistan Supreme Court's 'historic' ruling
Why has her case been so divisive?
EPAThere is widespread support for severe punishments for blasphemy in PakistanIslam is Pakistan's national religion and underpins its legal system. Public support for the strict blasphemy laws is strong.
Hardline politicians have often backed severe punishments, partly as a way of shoring up their support base.
But critics say the laws have often been used to exact revenge after personal disputes, and that convictions are based on thin evidence.
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The vast majority of those convicted are Muslims or members of the Ahmadi community who identify themselves as Muslims but are regarded as heretical by orthodox Islam.
Since the 1990s scores of Christians have also been convicted. They make up just 1.6% of the population.
The Christian community has been targeted by numerous attacks in recent years, leaving many feeling vulnerable to a climate of intolerance.
Since 1990, at least 65 people have reportedly been killed in Pakistan over claims of blasphemy.
Asia Bibi, who was born in 1971 and has four children, was the first woman to be sentenced to death under the blasphemy laws.
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