Asia Bibi, in solitary confinement, risks mental illness but "she has forgiven her tormentors"

ASIA/PAKISTAN - Asia Bibi, in solitary confinement, risks mental illness but "she has forgiven her tormentors"

Lahore (Agenzia Fides) - Asia Bibi, a Christian woman unjustly condemned to death for blasphemy, in prison since June 9, 2010, risks mental illness: her physical conditions continuously get worse and "she necessarily needs a full medical check-up". But her spirit, in rare moments of lucidity, is high and Asia has said she "has forgiven her tormentors". This is what Haroon Barkat Masih says to Fides, international Director of the "Masihi Foundation" (MF), NGO which protects the rights of Christians in Pakistan and that takes care of the legal and material assistance of the woman. An international delegation of "Masihi Foundation" met Asia Bibi yesterday, on December 19, 2011, in the district prison in Sheikpura, where she has been for more than a year to determine her condition, bring a word of hope and wishes for Christmas, while the appeal process, after being sentenced at first instance, is still pending before the Lahore High Court.
In a statement released by the "Masihi Foundation" after visiting the prison, and sent to Agenzia Fides, states that "because of her solitary confinement, Asia Bibi, 46, appears considerably older, has a pale complexion, she looks very frail, even unable to stand on her own". Asia was escorted by two women guards.
"During the time spent with her, her eyes were not fixed at any one place at any time, she could not understand what was happening, she was completely confused and looked astonished. During the whole conversation - over 2 hours and 20 minutes - her trail of thoughts were drifting" notes with concern the Masihi Foundation. "She reacted in mixed emotions, laughing, crying and going silent for long period of time".
"For the first 10 minutes - continues the text sent to Fides - Asia was unable to make up her mind and could not understand whether we were friends or enemies. She said she has not been taken seriously by anyone, she was frightened and seemed very cold and nervous. She hardly made an eye contact she kept shifting and fidgeting. We offered water to her and she even seemed afraid of water". Her personal hygiene conditions were terrible: Asia has not had a bath for over two months.
Asia was assured by the delegation that Masihi Foundation has provided the best legal assistance for her. Asia, with her very low and soft tone of voice low, repeated to the members of the MF that "she only wants to return to her family" and continues to pray and fast. The woman asks the Christians in the world "to continue to pray for her". When asked how she spends her time, Asia said: "I have lost track of time. I have no idea of the hour, month, season. The only day I remember is June 9, the darkest day of my life when I was arrested. It was the beginning of a nightmare for me and my family".
When asked about forgiveness, Asia explained: "Firstly she showed frustration, anger, got aggressive, then, thanks to Christian faith, after fasting and praying, things began to change in me: I have already forgiven those who blamed me of blasphemy. This is a chapter in my life I want to forget", noting that "many other Christians are unjustly accused like me". While the delegation was about to leave, Asia seemed frightened and shouted in tears "When would I be released?".
"It is a question that we turn to the Pakistani government, the international community, to the universal Church", comments in an interview with Fides Haroon Barkat Masih. "If Asia remains in isolation she is likely to risk mental illness that could seriously compromise her psychological equilibrium. We ask authorities to immediately allow a team of doctors to visit her and give her treatment", continued the Director of the MF. "Recently, Pope Benedict XVI visited the prisoners in an Italian prison: We believe that, through his gesture, we have symbolically included all the prisoners in the world and even Asia Bibi, who will spend a sad Christmas, in solitude in a cell. We call on all Christians around the world to remember Asia Bibi to the Lord, on Christmas Eve, and to raise a prayer for her". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 20/12/2011)

ASIA/PAKISTAN - The Federal Ministry for Harmony mobilizes for Asia Bibi

Islamabad (Agenzia Fides) - A report on the critical conditions of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy, and locked up in the prison of Sheikupura, reached the Federal Ministry for Harmony. As informs local sources of Fides, the Ministry is mobilizing to respond to "Masihi Foundation's" appeal in order to provide immediate medical check-up for Asia Bibi. The Minister of State for Harmony, Akram Gill - who last month met with the Pope - has confirmed to Fides: "We have taken note of Asia Bibi's conditions. Helping her now is a humanitarian issue. I will write a letter to the responsible of the prison and to the Interior Ministry, so that a team of doctors and psychologists can visit her immediately, in order to protect Asia's physical and mental health and give her appropriate treatment".
Even Paul Bhatti, Special Adviser to the Prime Minister for Religious Minorities, in an interview with Fides, ensures his commitment: "We will mobilize immediately, at an institutional level, to provide Asia Bibi medical assistance". Bhatti said he thought about the woman yesterday, when he met the Christian prisoners in Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi: "It is a gesture that was always carried out by my brother Shabhaz - explains Paul Bhatti to Fides- and I intend to continue this tradition. My thoughts also went to Asia Bibi, who is suffering in prison unjustly". The meeting was attended by over 150 prisoners. Bhatti announced some improvements to their lives, including the formation of a team of lawyers of "free legal aid" for those who cannot afford a lawyer. The Board also accepted the request of the prisoners to take care of the restructuring of the Christian chapel in the prison. Bhatti praised the prison administration for allowing religious minorities to practice their faith and underlined to Fides that it intends to ensure that "this right is guaranteed in the prison even where Asia Bibi is locked up", so that she has "the support of faith and prayer". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 20/12/2011)

 

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