Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Mogherini on behalf of the Commission

16.2.2015

The EU has followed the case of Asia Bibi closely. In October, the Lahore High Court decided to uphold the verdict by a lower court from 2010 condemning her to death for blasphemy. On 18 October, my Spokesperson issued a statement, recalling the EU position on the death penalty and hoping that ‘the verdict will be appealed to the Supreme Court and struck down swiftly’.

During his official visit to Pakistan 26-29 October 2014, the EU Special Representative (EUSR) for Human Rights, Mr Stavros Lambrinidis, called for a review of the blasphemy laws. He also specifically raised the case of Ms Bibi.

Asia Bibi has now appealed the verdict to the Supreme Court. The EU, and notably its Delegation in Islamabad, will continue to follow the case closely. We will continue to advocate for the verdict to be overturned and for Ms Bibi to be released. We will use all opportunities to raise this case, and the wider issues of the death penalty and blasphemy law with our Pakistani counterparts.

I would also like to refer to a previous answer given to Written Question E-008121/2014[1].

• [1] http://www.europarl.europa.eu/plenary/en/parliamentary-questions.html