Britain should offer asylum to Asia Bibi and her family

There are deeply alarming reports from Pakistan suggesting that extremists are hunting for Asia Bibi, who was recently acquitted of blasphemy after spending years on death row. If there is any truth in these reports, she and her family are in danger.

Her husband reportedly appealed to Britain and the West for asylum for Asia Bibi and her immediate family.

We should offer it.

There have been suggestions in parts of the press that some communities in Britain would not welcome her. I believe this to be untrue. The Muslim Council of Britain has said that, quote,

"We see no reason why Asia Bibi should be denied asylum into the UK.”

Nor do I.



POSTSCRIPT

I hear from my MEP Sajjad Karim that Asia Bibi and her daughters are safe at a secure location to the satisfaction of the international community.

Obviously I welcome this, but I still think that Britain should be prepared to offer them asylum should they need it.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Are you aware of any comment or utterances whatsoeverabout this matter by Justin Welby?
11:04 am
Chris Whiteside said…
It is no part of my brief to defend the Archbishop of Canterbury who can speak for himself. I do not know this for a fact, but I was under the impression that he has.

A report at

https://www1.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2017/november/canterbury-archbishop-meets-with-pakistan-christians

of a meeting he held with faith leaders in Pakistan to defend that country's Christian minority certainly seems to suggest it would have been one of the issues he raised.

He has certainly spoken up about the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities in Pakistan.

https://www.christiantoday.com/article/religious-minorities-in-pakistan-facing-increased-persecution/44165.htm

4:37 pm
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