Advertisement

Canada says safety of Pakistan woman Asia Bibi top priority

Click to play video: 'Canada urges safety of Pakistani woman acquitted of blasphemy'
Canada urges safety of Pakistani woman acquitted of blasphemy
WATCH: Canada urges safety of Pakistani woman acquitted of blasphemy – Jan 30, 2019

OTTAWA – Canada’s foreign ministry says it is prepared to do everything it can to ensure the safety of a Christian woman acquitted of blasphemy by Pakistan‘s top court.

The decision handed down Tuesday by the court upholds an October acquittal of Asia Bibi and clears the final legal obstacle for her to seek asylum.

Global Affairs Canada is calling Bibi’s case a priority and says it is focused on ensuring her and her family’s safety.

WATCH: Pakistan Islamists protest as Supreme Court clears Christian woman of blasphemy (Oct. 2018)

Click to play video: 'Pakistan Islamists protest as Supreme Court clears Christian woman of blasphemy'
Pakistan Islamists protest as Supreme Court clears Christian woman of blasphemy

Bibi’s lawyer, Saiful Malook, said in an op-ed in the Washington Post last month that his client’s most likely destination would be Canada if she was able to leave Pakistan.

Story continues below advertisement

And this fall, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told Agence France-Presse in Paris that Canada was in discussions with the Pakistani government over the case, but declined to comment further, citing a “delicate domestic context.”

Protesters burn an image of Christian woman Asia Bibi in Hyderabad, Pakistan, Thursday, Nov. 1, 2018. AP Photo/Pervez Masih

Following Bibi’s October acquittal, radical religious parties in Pakistan protested in the streets, calling for the killing of judges who acquitted Bibi and the overthrow of Prime Minister Imran Khan’s government.

They also filed a last-minute appeal for a review of the Supreme Court acquittal.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Global Affairs is now urging Pakistan’s government to take all necessary steps to keep Bibi safe.

WATCH: Lawyer for Asia Bibi speaks about her journey to freedom

Click to play video: 'Lawyer for Asia Bibi speaks about her journey to freedom'
Lawyer for Asia Bibi speaks about her journey to freedom

“We are working with like-minded friends and allies on this issue,” the department said in a statement. “Freedom of religion is a fundamental human right, and must be fully respected.”

Story continues below advertisement

— With files from The Associated Press

WATCH: Protesters fill streets after Christian acquitted of blasphemy in Pakistan

Click to play video: 'Protests for second day after Christian acquitted of blasphemy in Pakistan'
Protests for second day after Christian acquitted of blasphemy in Pakistan

Sponsored content

AdChoices