Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I first raised the case of Asia Bibi in 2011 and I have raised it a number of times in the years since then. She has been imprisoned for the past five years since she was accused of the offence of blasphemy in Pakistan. I raise it today because I have read newspaper reports recently that she has been suffering ill health and I understand her solicitors made representations on her behalf that she be transferred to a prison in Lahore so that she can be nearer to her family and can get medical treatment. If she is suffering from ill health I wish her a speedy recovery and I hope whatever assistance is needed is provided. I hope that matter will be raised by the Irish Government with the Pakistan Government on her behalf.

This is a very important case on account of the humanitarian issues involved. I understand that Ms Bibi is the first woman sentenced to death for blasphemy in Pakistan. Over 1,000 people have been accused of this offence since 1987 so it is a big issue in Pakistan. She has appealed her case and has been awaiting the verdict on an appeal to the Supreme Court for a long time now so it would be appropriate for the Government to make strong representations to the Pakistan Government and to request that her case be treated with compassionate consideration. At the very least, we should press for the matter to be brought to court as soon as possible. We should seek for her to be released in the meantime and that her case be given as much humanitarian treatment as possible.

The Irish ambassador-designate to Pakistan, who is based in Turkey, visited Islamabad last year and made representations relating to this case and to the blasphemy laws. The European Union High Representative has also raised the blasphemy laws with the Government of Pakistan so I ask the Minister of State to give an update on our Government's actions in this case.

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