The Australian Christian Lobby has called on the Australian Government to offer asylum to Asia Bibi, the Pakistani Christian woman acquitted this week of blasphemy charges after spending eight years on death row.
Martyn Iles, managing director of the ACL, noted that Christians are the most persecuted people in the world and said Pakistan was no exception.
“Those acquitted for blasphemy in the past have been killed by vigilantes. Even some of Bibi’s supporters in parliament have already been targeted,” he said.
“The government has made provisions for special category visas in the past for Christians suffering persecution, and this is another clear case in which the government should intervene.”
“There are already extremist groups on the streets and hundreds of paramilitary police have been deployed. Which is why we are calling for immediate action in order to ensure both Asia Bibi and her family’s safety.”