MOSCOW, October 16 (RIA Novosti) - Amnesty International has denounced Pakistan's Lahore High Court's ruling that refused to overturn the death sentence of a Christian woman on charges of blasphemy, the statement published on the organization's website Thursday said.
"This is a grave injustice. Asia Bibi should never have been convicted in the first place – still less sentenced to death – and the fact that she could pay with her life for an argument is sickening," Amnesty International Deputy Director for Asia Pacific David Griffiths said in the statement.
Amnesty stated that Asia Bibi was sentenced to death in 2010 after purportedly making offensive remarks about the Prophet Muhammad when arguing with a Muslim woman.
"There were serious concerns about the fairness of Asia Bibi's trial, and her mental and physical health has reportedly deteriorated badly during the years she has spent in almost total isolation on death row. She should be released immediately and the conviction should be quashed," the organization urged.
According to the organization, blasphemy laws violate international law and are used to punish both Muslims and minority religious groups.
