Pakistan
Rimsha Masih, the teenager with learning disabilities who was put on Pakistan’s death row on false blasphemy charges, has claimed asylum in Norway.
The news came from Farrukh H. Saif, executive director of the Pakistan-based Christian aid and advocacy group World Vision In Progress (WVIP).
It is believed that, after her release on bail, she and her family went to the Norwegian embassy in Pakistan and were all later flown to Norway. There has been no comment from the Norwegian government.
Wilson Chowdhry, founder of the British Pakistani Christian Association, said, ‘It is a relief to know that at least some of Rimsha’s family are safe’. However, he added there are still concerns that the Pakistani state will use this to sideline wider issues relating to its blasphemy laws.
