ROME – Rome’s ancient Colosseum was lit in red on Saturday in solidaritywith persecuted Christians, particularly Asia Bibi, a woman condemned todeath under Pakistan’s blasphemy laws.

Hundreds gathered on a rainy night outside the Roman amphitheatre that is asymbol of the martyrdom of early Christians to hear the husband anddaughter of Asia Bibi.

The Catholic woman has been living on death row in Pakistan since 2010,when she was condemned for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Islamafter neighbours objected to her drinking water from their glass becauseshe was not Muslim.

Human rights groups such as Amnesty International say the blasphemy law isincreasingly exploited by religious extremists as well as ordinaryPakistanis to settle personal scores.

“The aim of the blasphemy laws is crush people who believe differently,”Archbishop Nunzio Galantino, secretary-general of the Italian bishopsconference, told the gathering.

The law does not define blasphemy and evidence might not be reproduced incourt for fear of committing a fresh offence. There are no penalties forfalse accusations.The Colosseum is lit up in red to draw attention to the persecution ofChristians around the world in Rome. ( REUTERS )

Asia Bibi’s case drew international attention after the murder of twopoliticians who tried to intervene on her behalf.

At the Rome gathering, her husband Ashiq Masih said his wife was innocentof blasphemy. “This is just hate against Christians, who are consideredimpure,” he said.

The husband and daughter, who broke down in tears as she addressed thegroup, were earlier received by Pope Francis, who told her: “I think oftenof your mother and I pray for her”.

European Parliament President Antonio Tajani, who has been tipped as apossible Italian prime minister after next week’s election, said thatpersecution of Christians was “a genocide”.

“A message must be sent from this place. It is the duty of Europe to defendthese values (of religious liberty) wherever on earth they are trampledon,” Tajani said. – Agencies