Release Asia Bibi from custody, MPs urge

A CROSS-PARTY group of 20 MPs has urged the Pakistani High Commissioner, Mohammad Nafees Zakaria, to intervene in the case of the Christian Asia Bibi, who is reportedly still being held in “protective” custody in Pakistan, despite its Supreme Court’s upholding of her acquittal last month (News, 29 January). In a letter to Mr Zakaria, the MPs describe Pakistan’s handling of the case as “disgraceful” and express “profound concern” over reports that she was being denied access to and communication with diplomats from Canada, which has offered her asylum.

Referendum pressure put on Cuban Churches

CHURCH leaders in Cuba are under pressure and being intimidated to tell their congregations to vote for a new draft constitution in Sunday’s referendum, Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports. Its chief executive, Mervyn Thomas, said that Churches’ concerns during the public consultation had been “largely ignored” — including a concern that the draft “significantly reduces” protections for freedom of religion or belief. “Church leaders have . . . publicly stated that they will not tell their members how to vote.”