23 Nov 10 | Index Index, minipost
Hopes have been raised that Asia Bibi, the Pakistani Christain sentenced to death in Punjab for blasphemy, may soon be pardoned. The minorities minister said he was optimistic about her release and the local governor said he put forth a petition to President Zardari. Yet, even if Bibi receives a pardon after 18 months in prison, the blasphemy law will likely be retained. Critics claim the law is used to terrorise Pakistan’s minorities. In this case, Muslim women refused to drink water brought by an “unclean” Christian before an altercation took place
10 Nov 10 | Index Index, minipost
Asia Bibi, a Christian mother-of-five, has been sentenced to death for blasphemy. Bibi is accused of insulting the Prophet Mohammad during an argument with a group of Muslim women. She has denied the charges and has told investigators that she is being persecuted because of her faith. It is thought she will now appeal in a local court in Sheikhupura, near Lahore. No one has ever been executed under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, most of those convicted are freed on appeal, although 10 defendants are thought to have been murdered whilst on trial.
08 Feb 10 | Index Index, minipost
Valentin Ceausescu is seeking to ban a play on the trail and execution of the former dictator. “The Last Hours of Ceausescu“, written by Milo Rau, depicts the 1989 trial and execution of former dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife. Valentin’s lawyer said that the plaintiff is seeking to prevent his parents’ names being ridiculed. Valentin registered the “Ceausescu” trademark two years ago, meaning the name could no longer be used for commercial purposes without his consent.
01 Apr 08 | Middle East and North Africa
A young Saudi woman was murdered by her father last August after he discovered she had been engaging in online chats on Facebook. There are thought to be as many as 30,000 Facebook users in Saudi Arabia, and the site offers several popular dating and singles forums. This is rare in a society where contact outside of strict family and class structures largely remains taboo.
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