Judge in Pakistan grants bail to Christian girl

(Vatican Radio) A Christian girl arrested in Pakistan on blasphemy charges was granted bail Friday, days after police detained a Muslim cleric on suspicion of planting evidence to frame her. Rimsha Masih’s, arrest last month sparked international condemnation.

The case has focused attention on Pakistan’s harsh blasphemy laws, which activists claim are used to persecute minorities and settle personal vendettas.

Giving his reaction to the decision, Peter Jacob, executive secretary of the National Commission for Justice and Peace in Pakistan says “it’s a welcome decision, they were expecting this and they were praying for this, but it comes not as a favourable gesture on the part of the court, it doesn’t involve that sympathy that common people share; a child being accused and then being abused and kept in jail.”

He also told Lydia O’Kane that this case has forced Muslim scholars, academics and intellectuals to call for a review which would place safeguards against the misuse of the blasphemy laws. Listen