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.

Bill: 116-hres-89
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-42]
Introduced: 2019-01-30
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Refugees, asylum, displaced persons

Religion
Latest action: action_date: 2019-01-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

Summaries:
action_date: 2019-01-30
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>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.</p> <p>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.</p>

tv_txt: IV 116th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 89 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

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.