Christians condemn Pak woman's death sentence for blasphemy

Christians in India have condemned the death sentence passed by a Pakistani court on a young Christian woman, Asia Bibi, for alleged blasphemy.

The All India Christian Council, in a statement, denounced the death sentence and called upon the Indian government to raise the matter with the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Pakistani Government, and with other international bodies.

"Pakistan's blasphemy laws have been condemned globally from the time it was formulated. They have been misused in particular to persecute Pakistan's miniscule Christian community, which is subject to acute violence. Christian women in particular have been subject to abduction, forcible conversion, and trafficking," said the statement.

The Council added "Pakistan's persecution of its religious minorities is well known. Large numbers of Hindus and Sikhs have in the past fled Pakistan and sought refuge in India. Faislabad Bishop John Joseph had some years ago sacrificed his life by shooting himself to draw international attention to the plight of religious minorities in Pakistan."

Also, the Catholic Bishops Conference of India condemned the death sentence and demanded the repeal of blasphemy laws.

Bibi's husband, Ashiq Masih, told the AFP that the case was baseless and he would file an appeal. Several human rights groups are condemning Sunday's verdict.

Asia, who is from Ittanwali in Punjab province, laboured in the fields for a Muslim landlord. She was arrested after a heated discussion about religion with her fellow farmworkers.

Release International, an advocacy group for persecuted Christians, has launched a petition against Pakistan's blasphemy laws. It fears that the passing of the death sentence against Bibi could set a harmful precedent in other blasphemy cases.