The Government of India has released 67 prisoners of Pakistan nationality from different jails in the country. These prisoners were reportedly detained in Indian prisons for charges ranging from tampering of visa documents to illegal stay in India. Most of the persons released, including minors and women, had spent long periods in custody in four different prisons in India.
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) had issued two Urgent Appeals in the recent past calling for the intervention of the governments of both countries requesting the release of these prisoners. For further information please see AHRC-UAC-247-2008 and AHRC-UAG-013-2008. The AHRC welcomes the release of the prisoners and further appreciates the efforts initiated by the Government of Pakistan of pursuing through diplomatic channels the case that has now resulted in the release of the prisoners.
The positive gesture of releasing the prisoners is of particular relevance given the strained relationship between the two neighbors after the 26 November 2008 terrorist attack in Mumbai. The negotiations between the two countries that has brought freedom for 67 persons is to be construed as the result of continuous follow-up and a rational approach of solving issues, the authorities from both side of the Indo-Pakistan border has adopted. This process, if resorted to between these two neighboring countries could lead to solving tougher issues between the two nuclear-power states in the future. It could also pave the way for the normalisation of the relationship between India and Pakistan and also between its people.
According to media reports there are some more persons detained in India, with Pakistan nationality, held on similar charges like those who are now released. It is reported that a boy is still held in custody in Mumbai prison. The media also reports that an estimated number of 50 persons, or probably more, of Pakistan nationality, are detained in Amritsar Jail – Punjab state, Bhuj Jail – Gujarat state and in Jodhpur Jail – Rajasthan state in India. Most of these persons were arrested in India when they came to India to visit their ancestral lands. The AHRC requests and further hope that the Government of India will deal with the cases of these unfortunate individuals with the same compassion and understanding as they have dealt with the cases of those who are released.
The AHRC expects that the approach to provide relief to the people on both the sides of the Indo-Pakistan border will continue in the future, irrespective of the political tensions between the two countries.
