Jamila Bibi Faces 'Honour Killing' for Adultery if Deported to Pakistan

An asylum seeker in Canada is due to be deported back to Pakistan where she faces a honour killing death after being charged with adultery, her lawyer has warned.

Jamila Bibi, 65, fled to the city of Saskatoon in 2007 after she was accused of adultery in Pakistan. Her lawyer Bashir Khan, who has described the case as "shocking" and "disturbing", said if she returned to her homeland she would be at risk of being killed as adultery carries the death penalty.

"She's been charged with adultery, she's wanted for the crime of adultery, there's a magistrate's warrant for her arrest, there's been threats of honour killing [by her ex-husband's family]," Khan said.

But on Monday 15 September, a Federal Court of Canada judge rejected her bid to secure refugee status based on a lack of evidence "to prove she will suffer irreparable harm if she is removed to Pakistan".

Khan added he had expected the authorities would not deport her until the UN office of the high commissioner for human rights reviewed her case.

"There was a rather strong argument made under international law, but unfortunately it wasn't addressed," Khan said.

Meanwhile, Sahana Yeasmin, the owner of Meg's Restaurant in Saskatoon where Bibi worked as a chef, organised a rally on Sunday to campaign against her deportation.

"I'm feeling totally like we're helpless," Yeasmin said. "We were trying to save that old lady's life.

"Lots of different kinds of people came to support that lady. Everyone was hoping that we would win that case, and they were going to listen to us."

Her refugee protection claim was denied in 2009 and in 2011 by the Refugee Protection Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada and by a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) officer who took her "divorce" into consideration.

In a statement, Judge Marie-Joseé Bédard said: "The applicant has not presented evidence before this court that could support a finding that she will face risks if she is removed to Pakistan that have not already been assessed on two occasions."

Following the court's decision, Bibi was moved to the Saskatoon Police detention unit where she will be escorted to a plane for Pakistan on Tuesday 16 September.

Her deportation can still be halted by Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Steven Blaney.

Both Khan and Yeasmin are urging people to contact Banley and stop Bibi's removal.