Asia Bibi, already in poor health, is now ill with chickenpox. Fears grow for the jailed Christian woman who awaits hanging under Pakistan's blasphemy law.
She was reportedly not in good health previously and was fasting for Lent. Now fears for her health have grown.
Haroon Barket Masih, president of the charity, describes her jail conditions: “Solitary confinement for more than three months...24 hours a day locked in the cell. She needs medical care, hygienic and healthy conditions. She fell ill with chickenpox because of the dirty environment, and being unable to clean her room or bed sheets on which she sleeps.”
Chickenpox is a viral disease, usually contacted in childhood. It is much more serious in adults and can be fatal. Those with compromised immune systems or who are otherwise weakened face serious risk. Pakistan is a high-risk country for major infectious disease.
Masih further describes the efforts to help Asia Bibi: “We are trying to arrange a medical examination, and to ensure acceptable hygienic conditions. Until now she has had no medical care. "
Pakistan is an Islamic State
The Pakistani population of 187 million is 95% Muslim. Being Muslim is a necessary qualification for being elected president, although 10% of the seats are reserved for non-Muslim members. There are remote tribal areas some of which are Taliban-controlled and follow Islamic law exclusively.
Asia Bibi was found guilty of blaspheming Muhammad, the founder of Islam, under this law. However these charges were never adequately proven. The evidences provided to push for her death sentence would never have stood the scrutiny of examination in any progressive, objective court of law. Human rights observers maintain that any blasphemy law is unjust as it contravenes the basic freedoms of speech and religion.
The human rights organization, Amnesty International, urges the Pakistani government to act. In its news release "'Blasphemy' death sentence controversy another wakeup call for Pakistan government" November 30, 2010, it states: "Asia Bibi’s case is yet another wakeup call for the Pakistani government to deal with the religious extremism that is blowing great holes in the country... the Pakistan government has received wakeup call after wakeup call. When will it stop sleepwalking toward disaster, and fix the country’s shameful blasphemy laws?"
Today, under those same laws, Asia Bibi remains in jail sentenced to death by hanging , her poor health a growing concern.
Earlier: napaki.tumblr.com
Twitter handle: @napaki
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