http://www.smh.com.au/world/hope-for-christian-sentenced-to-death-in-pakistan-20101121-182na.html
Hope for Christian sentenced to death in Pakistan Kay Johnson November 22, 2010 Family pleas ... Esha, 12, left, Sidra, 18, and Eshum, 10, the daughters of Pakistani Christian woman Asia Bibi pose with an photo of their mother. Photo: Reuters/Adrees Latif ISLAMABAD: The family of a Pakistani Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy against Islam says it is hoping for a presidential pardon that could bring her home for Christmas. The case against Asia Bibi - which started with a spat over a sip of water - has renewed calls for reform of Pakistan's blasphemy law, which critics say have been used to settle grudges, persecute minorities and fan religious extremism. The President, Asif Ali Zardari, has asked for a report on the case and could issue a pardon even before a court announces its decision on an appeal against the verdict, said Shahbaz Bhatti, the Minister for Minority Affairs. Asia Bibi ... tearful televised briefing on Saturday. Photo: AP The mother of five appeared in a tearful televised briefing for reporters on Saturday at the prison in Punjab province. She declared her innocence, maintaining that the case stemmed from personal disputes that led to a false accusation. ''I have small children,'' pleaded Bibi, 45, wearing a veil. ''For God's sake, please set me free.'' She has been in prison for 18 months. On November 8 she became the first woman sentenced to hang for blasphemy. Pope Benedict XVI has called for her release. Dozens of people are sentenced to death each year under the blasphemy law. Most cases are thrown out and no executions have been carried out, Mr Bhatti said, but the law is being examined to prevent what he said was abuse by extremists and opportunists. Christians, who make up less than 5 per cent of Pakistan's 175 million people, are frequently the targets of accusers invoking the law, Mr Bhatti said. Bibi's husband, Ashiq Masih, says that is what happened to his wife in June 2009. He said she was picking fruit in an orchard in their village of Attian Wali, west of the Punjab provincial capital of Lahore, when she went to fetch some water for the group. When she returned, some of the Muslim women refused to drink from a container touched by a Christian, he said. Offended, Bibi exchanged heated words with the women, he said. Five days later dozens of Muslims from the town's mosque appeared and dragged her away, claiming she had insulted Prophet Muhammad. The Punjab governor, Salmaan Taseer, told reporters on Saturday he is also going to appeal for Bibi's release. ''I am going to take this petition to the President, and the President will forgive her,'' he said. Associated Press [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ Post message: [email protected] Subscribe : [email protected] Unsubscribe : [email protected] List owner : [email protected] Homepage : http://proletar.8m.com/Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/proletar/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: [email protected] [email protected] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [email protected] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
