The state has been illegally interrupted in Sarghoda district, with the victim informed that he is now not allowed to leave his house, and liable to be arrested if he does so. The order, he reports, came verbally from one of the officers who tortured him. His police security guards have told him that they will no longer be available. This turn of events has proven that human rights defenders in Pakistan can never be sure of their safety, even with the support of the high court.
Shafiq Dogar was arrested on April 28, 2009 by the Badana Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Choudhry Akram and was tortured daily over 21 days by officers in stations across three districts. As well as being tied and beaten daily, Dogar was raped and had chili powder inserted into his anus. His crime was to be related to a family involved in a disputed marriage, and to be a human rights defender; he and his wife run an NGO. (Please see the following urgent appeals and statements on their case: UAC-051-2009, STM-116-2009, STM-122-2009). Other members of his family were tortured, including four women.
After an AHRC appeal led to extensive media coverage, Dogar’s release was personally ensured by the chief justice of the Lahore High Court via sou moto action. However filing a case (428/09 at Sargodha police station) has left the victim very vulnerable; the other alleged perpetrators include Iftekhar Baloch, a Punjab assembly member and leader of the provincial ruling party, and he, DSP Choudhry and an alleged cohort, Mr. Naheed Kamboh, advisor to the federal state minister of interior affairs, have reportedly warned him of dire consequences should he not withdraw his complaint. It is interesting to note that those threatening Dogar fall on both sides of the political fence ¡V the Pakistan Muslim League-N and the Pakistan People’s Party can apparently agree when it comes to oppressing victims of torture.
Although police security guards were posted at his home on May 29 on the orders of the high court, Dogar’s family have had to deal with intense post-torture trauma under constant intimidation, while dealing with the loss of their family income and the maintenance of an NGO (the Star Welfare Organisation mostly assists victims of domestic violence and torture.)
Dogar has questioned the legal base for the new set up and asked for the orders in writing, but has received no further information. Speaking to Dr. Usman Anwar, Sargodha district police officer (DPO), by phone, he was allegedly told that he has ‘too many enemies in too many districts’ to be protected, and that the police can no longer be responsible. He was told that he and his family would have to protect themselves, and that it had been decided that they should do so by staying inside. If they do not and something happens, Anwar is reported to have said, they will be put behind bars. Who made this decision is unclear.
The lack of protection afforded human rights defenders is amongst the most fundamental obstacles facing the protection and full realization of human rights in Pakistan. Dogar is already a rights defender, but even if he were not, the act of standing forward as a witness of a violation takes a superhuman and selfless kind of bravery that should carry the defender title. This chain of events not only highlights the lack of communication between the courts and those they give orders to, but also the strong bond that continues to be nourished between corrupt police officials and politicians, to the detriment of Pakistan citizens. By failing Shafiq Dogar and his family, the officials of Sarghoda once again fail civil society.
