Italy ‘Working Discreetly’ on Asia Bibi Case

Rome: Italy is working behind the scenes with other Western nations to help a Christian woman, Asia Bibi, amid fears for her safety in Pakistan following her acquittal in a blasphemy case after eight years on death row. “We are working discreetly with other Western countries. This is necessary to protect her and her family,” Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini told Italy’s RTL 102.5 radio station. “We cannot allow a situation like this in 2018... women and children should not be in danger.”

Bibi, who had been sentenced to hang, cannot leave Pakistan after violent protests by the Islamist Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) party after Pakistan’s Supreme Court cleared her of all charges last week. Bibi’s case has galvanized Christian and human rights groups outraged by Pakistan’s treatment of religious minorities including its tiny Christian population. Scores of Christians have been convicted of blasphemy since the 1990s in Pakistan. “It is definitely a priority for me to guarantee a future to that poor woman and her family. There are many Italians working in Pakistan and we have major trade ties with the country,” Salvini said. Asia Bibi has been invited with her family to visit the European Parliament, its President Antonio Tajani said. (IANS)

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