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<p>As the Prime Minister set out on 14 November, the release of Asia Bibi will be
very welcome news to her family and to all those who have campaigned in Pakistan and
around the world for her release. We welcome the assurances the Government of Pakistan
has given on keeping her and her family safe, and it is important that all countries
seek to uphold the rule of law and afford security and protection for the rights of
all citizens irrespective of faith or belief.</p><p>It is a longstanding Government
policy not to comment on individual cases. In accordance with our duty of confidentiality,
we cannot confirm whether an asylum claim has been received or the outcome of such
a request. Departing from this policy may put individuals and their family members
in danger.</p><p>We remain deeply concerned by the misuse of the blasphemy laws in
Pakistan, and the fact that religious minorities are disproportionately affected.
The harsh penalties for blasphemy, including the death penalty, add to these concerns.</p><p>We
regularly raise our human rights concerns with the Government of Pakistan at a senior
level; and we have urged them to take steps to prevent the misuse of the blasphemy
laws. My Foreign and Commonwealth colleague, the Minister of State for Commonwealth
and the UN, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, discussed our concerns about Freedom of Religion
or Belief and the protection of minority religious communities with Pakistan’s Human
Rights Minister, Dr Shireen Mazari, in September 2018. We will continue to press the
new Government of Pakistan to adhere to its international obligations and uphold the
rule of law.</p>
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