Over half a million people sign petition to free Asia Bibi

(Vatican Radio) Over half a million people have signed a petition started by a British woman to save Asia Bibi, the Christian woman sentenced to death in Pakistan for alleged blasphemy.

In an online petition, university student Emily Clarke says Asia Bibi, condemned to death in November 2010, was alleged to have made disparaging comments about Islam after co-workers objected to her drinking out of their water glasses because of her Christian faith.

Following a recent surge in support, at least 572,000 people have signed her petition, addressed to UK Prime Minister David Cameron and Foreign Secretary John Hammond.

Petition Organiser Emily Clarke speaks to Aid to the Church in Need

In an interview with the Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need, Emily Clarke has said “The latest increase is incredible – and shows that people have not forgotten Asia Bibi even though she was sentenced to death over four years ago, for a crime she steadfastly denies.  People who stand up for Asia Bibi in Pakistan put their lives at risk. In 2011 two politicians were killed for speaking out against Pakistan’s barbaric blasphemy laws.”  The two politicians were Salman Tazeer, the governor of the Punjab, and Shahbaz Bhatti, the national minorities’ minister who were both shot dead because of their support for Asia Bibi.  Emily Clarke went on to add “This makes it more important than ever that the international community stands together to show our support for Asia and for the people putting their lives at risk to save her.”

Earlier, a million people signed a petition started by Clarke calling on governments around the world to stand up for Meriam Ibrahim, a Christian woman sentenced to death in Sudan.  The verdict was eventually overturned and she was reunited with her husband and children.