The EU’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, Jan Figel, told Pakistani officials on 16 February that the renewal of their export privileges to Europe depends on the release of Asia Bibi, a Christian woman on death row for blasphemy since 2010.
‘The EU countries have started believing that Pakistan’s Supreme Court, appeasing certain political and fundamental forces of Pakistan, is intentionally delaying the hearing of Asia Bibi,’ an EU press release stated. It added that the renewal of Pakistan’s GPS Plus trading status will be linked to the outcome of her case.
