The Colosseum is lit up in red to draw attention to the persecution of Christians around the world in Rome. Photo: ReutersRome's ancient Colosseum was lit in red on Saturday (local time) in solidarity with persecuted Christians, particularly Asia Bibi, a woman condemned to death under Pakistan's blasphemy laws. Human rights groups such as Amnesty International say the blasphemy law is increasingly exploited by religious extremists as well as ordinary Pakistanis to settle personal scores. The law does not define blasphemy and evidence might not be reproduced in court for fear of committing a fresh offence. At the Rome gathering, her husband Ashiq Masih said his wife was innocent of blasphemy.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 24, 2018 22:41 UTC