Madrid, Spain, Aug 7, 2013 / 15:01 pm
The Spanish civil liberties website MasLibres is criticizing the Spanish government for failing to advocate on behalf of Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Catholic sentenced to die under the country's blasphemy law.
During a visit to Morocco in mid-July, King Juan Carlos of Spain is believed to have petitioned King Mohammed VI for the pardon of four dozen Spanish prisoners, which was granted on July 30.
Among the prisoners was Daniel Galvan, who was sentenced in 2011 to 30 years for sexually abusing 11 children. After widespread protest, Galvan's pardon was revoked and he was re-detained in the Spanish city of Murcia.
Galvan's case contrasts sharply with that of Asia Bibi, the Catholic mother who gained worldwide attention in 2010 when she was condemned to death for allegedly violating Pakistan's blasphemy laws.