Acquittal of Asia Bibi in Pakistan: Free, but not out of danger

For liberal, enlightened people in Pakistan, it would be the best news of the year: Asia Bibi to go free. Three judges of the Supreme court in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, have you cleared of all the charges. For nine years she had served time in prison, including eight years on death row: you, the Christian, was sentenced in November 2010 to death for blasphemy, because you had made allegedly derogatory about the prophet Mohammed.

Allegedly had refused a couple of Muslim women with whom she had plucked berries, of your water to accept, because she was a Christian, and the water was therefore unclean. They would drink it only if you confess to Islam. Asia Bibi is said to have responded: "Why should I? Jesus Christ died for the sins of the people on the cross. What did Mohammed for the people?"

Asia Bibi claims to have never said like. It is clear that a dispute between the women flared up, the women, the village preacher and the informed, in turn, the police. Asia Bibi was arrested and according to the blasphemy law referred to paragraph 295-C of the Pakistan penal code and sentenced, which in the case of insult of the prophet is mandatory and the death penalty.

Worldwide, the case caused a stir. In Pakistan, however, remained silent out of fear of Islamic extremists about the fall. Two Pakistani politicians who campaigned for Asia Bibi, paid with their lives: The Governor of Punjab province, Salman Taseer, Asia Bibi was visited in her cell and for the abolition of the blasphemy law, was shot dead in 2011 by his own bodyguard. A few months later, a Minister was killed. He, too, had been publicly on the side of Asia Bibi, and if not the abolition, but Reform of the blasphemy law demanded. He argued that it load to the abuse and serve mostly as a pretext for vengeance in the case of quarrels.

As Mumtaz Qadri, the murderer of Taseer, in front of the judge, was lined with thousands of his way, including lawyers, pelting him with rose petals and cheered him - after all, he had killed Taseer also a "Blasphemous". Qadri was sentenced to death, and 2016. In Pakistan, there were partly violent protests, hundreds of thousands took to the streets Oleybet - because they were against the death penalty, but because they saw in Qadri a hero, an upright Muslim. The judges were henceforth to live under police protection.

protests after the acquittal of Asia Bibi,

One of the three judges, who have now discussed the case of Asia Bibi free, was among those who had sentenced Qadri. He knew how delicate the acquittal would be. The abolition of the death sentence against Asia Bibi was already at 8. October, but only today, after the Meeting many of the safety precautions, it was announced.

Even Asia Bibi's lawyer, Saif-ul-Malook was not informed in advance. Last week, he was in an interview with the MIRROR confident that: "The chances are good for Asia Bibi. The judges are smart, reasonable people." It was Asia Bibi's second-to-last Chance. The judge would not have revoked her death sentence, would only be able to grant a pardon to the President of the Republic.

Pakistan is far from being the blasphemy law to be abolished

Yet a man for blasphemy was to have been executed in Pakistan, though never. But many, which has made this accusation, are the victim of a Lynch mob, a mob that took the law into their own hands. Also, Asia Bibi and her family will never be able to again live the way you have done it prior to the dispute in 2009. You will go abroad, a new identity and a new life must begin. Religious fanatics have stolen from them, only nine years of your life, you will determine it in the future.

The acquittal is due to pressure from religious extremists in Pakistan, the state is to exercise, very brave. Extremists had already announced in advance, to plunge the country into Chaos, should be spoken of Asia Bibi. In Islamabad, was withdrawn before the announcement of the judgment, the highest level of security, hundreds of policemen and paramilitary troops protecting the government district and the building of the Supreme court.

In several cities, came on Wednesday after the news of the decision to protest. The country is far from reforming the blasphemy law or even abolish the. Asia Bibi is free, but the spirit of the extremists is still not defeated for a long time.