In a significant turn of events on August 8, 2024, the court canceled the interim bail for the accused in the attempted kidnapping and sexual assault case against Asiya Bibi, a young Christian domestic worker from village 93 RB Chiti in Jaranwala, Faisalabad.

The court issued arrest warrants for the assailants, Azeem Jameel and Atif Jameel, after summoning Asiya to record her statement. The accused had previously claimed that their motorcycle accidentally collided with Asiya due to high speed. However, the court found sufficient grounds to reject their bail and ordered the police to take action.

The Incident:

On June 26, 2024, Asiya was attacked while returning home from work. The assailants attempted to drag her to a nearby warehouse, but Asiya fiercely resisted. During the struggle, she suffered severe injuries, including a broken hand and fingers, as the men beat her with rods. Despite the brutal assault, Asiya managed to escape when some villagers noticed the commotion.

Initial Response and Legal Challenges:

After the attack, Asiya’s uncle took her to the police station, where an FIR was filed against the offenders. However, the police did not arrest the accused, who subsequently obtained bail from the court. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by religious minorities in Pakistan, particularly Christian girls and women, who are often targets of violence and discrimination.

Support from ECSPE:

In the wake of this traumatic event, Asiya’s family reached out to the Emergency Committee to Save the Persecuted and Enslaved (ECSPE) for legal assistance. ECSPE has committed to providing legal support and shelter to victims of persecution and discrimination in Pakistan, currently assisting 12 girls who have faced similar situations.Yesterday, 8th August 2024, The court canceled the interim bail to the accused who tried to kidnap the Christian girl Asiya with the intention of sexual assault and issued arrest warrants.

The girl, who works as a domestic servant in a house in the village, while returning home after work, tried to forcefully abduct her and take her to a nearby house to sexually assault her, but the girl’s strong resistance and screams made the accused. This attempt failed.

While fighting with the accused to save her life, the girl suffered severe injuries due to fractures in her shoulder, arm, and fingers. In the last hearing, the accused had stated in the court that our motorcycle collided with the girl due to high speed.

The court summoned the girl personally and recorded her statement. Based on this, the interim bail of the three accused was rejected, and orders were issued to the police to arrest the accused. The ECSPE team provides financial and legal support to the family.

The recent court decision marks a crucial step toward justice for Asiya Bibi and underscores the urgent need for stronger protections for religious minorities in Pakistan. The ECSPE continues to provide financial and legal support to Asiya’s family, emphasizing the importance of effective law enforcement to prevent such attacks and ensure justice for victims.