A symbol. Friday at 4:30 p.m., the President of the Republic received Asia Bibi at the Palais de l'Élysée for a one-on-one interview for almost an hour. A Pakistani Christian, she had been sentenced to death in her country for blasphemy in 2010. Acquitted eight years later by the Pakistani Supreme Court, she had found refuge in Canada last year and today claims asylum in France.
" We will study this request favorably ," said the entourage of the head of state. For Emmanuel Macron, this is an emblematic case in terms of human rights. If the President of the Republic supports Asia bibi's request, he is not the one who will grant asylum in person. Like all asylum seekers, Asia Bibi must respect the official process: file on French soil a file with the French Office for the Protection of Refugees and Stateless Persons (Ofpra).
Asia Bibi and Julian Assange
" I was given this opportunity. I need to take a little time, because I am suffering, but I have received the invitation, the welcome from the President of the Republic, "said Asia Bibi after his interview with Emmanuel Macron. Passing through the Élysée Palace will no doubt speed up the procedure. " They will do their utmost on the issue of deadlines, " said one at the Élysée Palace. But Emmanuel Macron will go no further.
Because behind Asia Bibi looms the case of Julian Assange, whose several politicians ask that he benefit from political asylum in France. Starting with Marine Le Pen who asked for it again this week. " It also meets the criteria to be able to benefit in France from the right of asylum ", assured the president of the RN on France Inter.
France is the country where I received a new life (…) Anne-Isabelle is for me like an angel
Asia BibiRefugee in England, the founder of WikiLeaks is subject to an extradition request from the United States. To apply for asylum, he must be on French soil, which is therefore not the case. The President of the Republic can hide behind the respect of the procedure so as not to have to deal with a file which would cause tensions with the United States.
Currently in Paris to present his finally free! , Asia Bibi said on RTL on Monday that living in France was her " desire " . " France is the country where I received a new life (…) Anne-Isabelle is for me like an angel ", explained Asia Bibi, in reference to the French journalist Anne-Isabelle Tollet, with whom she wrote her autobiographical book and hopes to continue working.
