Title: Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should grant asylum to Aasiya Noreen, internationally known as Asia Bibi, and her immediate family, due to the persecution she has faced on account of her religion.
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
This resolution expresses support for granting asylum to Pakistan citizen Aasiya Noreen, internationally known as Asia Bibi, and her immediate family, due to religious persecution.
It also recognizes the importance of granting asylum to those individuals with legitimate claims of persecution for their religion, race, nationality, membership in a social group, or political belief.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 89 Introduced in House (IH)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 89

 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United 
 States should grant asylum to Aasiya Noreen, internationally known as 
  Asia Bibi, and her immediate family, due to the persecution she has 
                   faced on account of her religion.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            January 30, 2019

 Mr. Calvert submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                     the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the United 
 States should grant asylum to Aasiya Noreen, internationally known as 
  Asia Bibi, and her immediate family, due to the persecution she has 
                   faced on account of her religion.

Whereas the United States is a Nation founded on the principles of freedom of 
        religion and freedom of speech;
Whereas the right to due process is enshrined in the United States Constitution;
Whereas Asia Bibi and her family are practicing Pakistani Catholics, a minority 
        group in Pakistan;
Whereas, in June 2009, Asia Bibi was accused of insulting the Muslim faith in a 
        confrontation with a neighbor and drinking from a water source reserved 
        solely for Muslim use;
Whereas, in November 2010, Asia Bibi, was sentenced to death by hanging after 
        being convicted of blasphemy by a Pakistani District Court under Article 
        295-C of Pakistan's penal code;
Whereas Asia Bibi appealed her sentence, but it was upheld in October 2014 by 
        the Lahore High Court of Appeals;
Whereas, in October 2018, the Supreme Court of Pakistan rightfully acquitted 
        Asia Bibi due to insufficient evidence;
Whereas Asia Bibi and her family have been forced into hiding for fear of 
        extrajudicial murder;
Whereas in Pakistan, being accused of blasphemy by either the government or a 
        private individual, can lead to violence against the accused;
Whereas human rights violations in Pakistan include inconsistent due process, 
        poor prison conditions, lengthy and arbitrary sentences, and lack of 
        judicial independence; and
Whereas the United States may grant asylum to people who have been persecuted by 
        their government on account of race, religion, nationality, membership 
        in a social group, or political belief: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) recognizes the importance of granting asylum to those 
        with legitimate claims of persecution for their religion, race, 
        nationality, membership in a social group, or political belief; 
        and
            (2) supports granting asylum in the United States to Aasiya 
        Noreen and her immediate family.
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