Oct. 31
PAKISTAN:
Trial hearing for British mother imprisoned with newborn baby
A British woman facing the death penalty in Pakistan, who is being held in jail
along with her newborn baby girl, is due to appear in court tomorrow (1
November).
Khadija Shah is being held in prison on drugs charges and has so far been
denied bail despite the fact that she was heavily pregnant when arrested and
has since given birth. If convicted Khadija could face the death penalty. Baby
Malaika is being held behind bars with her mother despite grave fears for her
health in the unsanitary conditions at the notorious Adiala jail.
Khadija, from Birmingham, was arrested and initially held with her 2 other
children who have since returned home. On September 15th she gave birth to
Malaika but was returned to prison jail just days later.
Baby Malaika is covered in mosquito bites and has so far had none of her
immunisations. She was taken to hospital when she was just a few days old
because of severe diarrhoea. She is having none of the standard post-natal care
that is her due.
Clive Stafford Smith, director of the legal charity Reprieve, said: "Obviously
Khadija should be presumed innocent, and she insists that she is. But if there
is one thing that is abundantly clear, it is that she cannot be the main
offender here. Someone wanted to make several million pounds by importing drugs
into the UK, yet the Pakistan authorities are interested only in seeking to
execute a very vulnerable young woman, and the British Serious Organised Crime
Agency (SOCA) shows no interest at all in identifying the real perpetrators.
"The British government must do more to help Khadija. Baby Malaika is suffering
from all manner of health problems from being held in one of the world's worst
jails. UK officials must provide all the help they can so that Malaika can get
the help she so desperately needs."
(source: Ekklesia)
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