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 neighbors objected to her drinking water from their glass because shewas 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. – Agencies