Andrew Hastie (Canning, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise today to highlight the case of Asia Bibi and the plight of persecuted Christian minorities in Pakistan. Mrs Bibi, a Christian in the Punjab Province of Pakistan, has been detained on death row for the last six years, often in solitary confinement because of the ongoing threats to her physical safety in prison. Her apparent crime? She drank from a cup that was intended for Muslim recipients.

Last week, I was honoured to meet with Mr Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the British Pakistani Christian Association. The association seeks to promote religious freedom in Pakistan and advocate for those, like Mrs Bibi, whose human rights have been denied because of their religious faith. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to which Pakistan is a signatory, makes very clear those basic rights. Article 2 specifically states:

Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

Freedom of religion is foundational. Without it, people are denied the potential for human flourishing.

Australia is a good friend of Pakistan, but we in this country care very deeply about religious liberty and are also universally opposed to the death penalty, particularly in a case such as this. We hope and pray for the speedy release of Asia Bibi and those like her.

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