The case of Asia Bibi illustrates how Amnesty International and in particular Amnesty International Ireland, has completely lost its way.  A particularly shocking aspect of this case apart from the original verdict is the poor manner in which Amnesty International and specifically Amnesty International Ireland, kept almost completely silent throughout the proceedings in this case (and other similar cases).

The case involved a Pakistani Christian woman, Asia Noreen born in 1971 and is better known as Asia Bibi.

Asia Bibi was convicted of blasphemy by a Pakistani court and received the death penalty by hanging in 2010. This situation occurred when Asia got involved in an argument with a group of Muslim women with whom she had been harvesting berries. It seems that one of the other women grew angry with Asia drinking water from the same container as them. Asia was subsequently accused of insulting the Islamic prophet Muhammad, a charge she denies. Following this she was arrested and imprisoned. In November 2010, she was sentenced to death and if executed she would be the first woman to be lawfully killed for blasphemy.

This shocking verdict, which was reached in the lower court, was the subject of much criticism. Various petitions were organised to protest Asia’s imprisonment. Pope Benedict XVI publicly called for the charges against her to be dismissed, unfortunately her own neighbours and Islamic leaders in the country continue to call for her execution.

A Christian minister Shahbaz Bhatti and Muslim politician Salmaan Taseer, who both advocated on her behalf, were assassinated after they also criticised the blasphemy laws there. Following this Asia’s family went into hiding.

It is interesting that this case was raised by even some of its own members on Facebook, who we understand, were blocked from Amnesty International Ireland Facebook page as result of the said members repeated criticism of Amnesty International Ireland’s failure to properly take on the cause of this persecuted woman.

To date Amnesty Ireland’s only contribution to this cause is one Tweet. One Tweet from an organization that sometimes sends several tweets in one day.

This case again, serves to highlight how Amnesty International Ireland has lost its way.