World Magazine published an online story this week about the blasphemy law—Law 295—in Pakistan and how it affects Christians and other minority groups in that nation.
I was interviewed for the story:
Pakistan’s anti-blasphemy law makes it illegal to speak against Islam. Todd Nettleton, director of media development at Voice of the Martyrs, said the law is used as a weapon. Worst of all, accusers don’t need any proof. There are no consequences for false accusations, but anyone accused is arrested and imprisoned during the investigation.
I have twice been a part of VOM teams delivering petitions to the Pakistani Embassy in Washington DC on behalf of one of Law 295’s victims—Asia Bibi. Both times we were welcomed with kindness into the embassy and reminded that more Muslims are accused of blasphemy than Christians.
We were also told that the system works…that when someone is innocent the courts will eventually set them free. That is sometimes true, but it is also true that some of those set free have been murdered by radical Muslims after they were set free, and some were murdered even before they could appear in court.
Perhaps Asia Bibi will be set free, her appeal granted and the death penalty she was sentenced to thrown out by the High Court. But when? The years she has been in prison, separated from her husband and daughters, are years she will never get back. And no court decision can change that.
Please pray for Asia Bibi. Please sign the petition to ask Pakistan’s government to set her free at www.CallForMercy.com. Join us in this call for mercy from an unjust law that affects so many of our brothers and sisters in Pakistan.
Todd Nettleton has served the persecuted church and VOM 15 years. He has been interviewed more than 2000 times by various media outlets. He's the author of Restricted Nations: North Korea, and served on the writing team for FOXE, Extreme Devotion, Hearts of Fire and other VOM books.
Asia, praying for your release. There will be trouble, But He has overcome the world. Hold on. Run the race to the end my dear girl.
Posted by: Angela | February 12, 2014 at 04:04 PM