Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that a young man belonging with Ahamadi religious minority group was killed by the unknown men amid the military operation against the terrorists and target killings. Before his cold blooded murder he was warned and threatened that being an Ahmadi he will not be spared. His grandfather and two uncles were also killed during the anti-Ahmadiyya riots.
CASE NARRATIVE:
A young Ahmadi, Mr. Nauman Najam, was shot dead by unknown assailants in Malir, Karachi, Sindh province on the evening of March 21. Unknown gunmen entered his computer hardware store at around 7:45 pm and opened indiscriminate fire. He received five gunshots, two in his chest which proved fatal; he died on his way to hospital. Nauman being an active member of the Ahmadi youth Association was targeted by the extremists who were following him since many days. Six months ago Nauman was robbed off his valuable at a busy junction in Karachi at gunpoint, the dacoits told him that though they were suppose to kill him they are letting him go as they (the dacoits) have received a bounty from him. Nauman had also told his brother Masood about the death threats he was receiving from unknown callers who threatened him with dire consequences. Knowing the threat to his life Nauman refuse to cower down he continued to relentlessly support and help his Ahmadi brothers.
During the last year 11 Ahmadis were killed because of their faith. The hate mongering and hate crimes against Ahmadiyyas show no signs of abating. On the other hand government has made tall claims to curb hate speech but on the ground such material is openly published and distributed with impunity.
According to Ahmadiyya organisation, because of discriminatory laws present in Pakistan every Ahmdi’s life is in danger. It is highlighted many times that the situation for Ahmadis in Pakistan is worsening with every passing day. On one hand government has made tall claims to curb hate speech but on the ground such material is openly published and distributed with impunity.
Nauman Najam’s grandfather Chaudry Manzor Ahmad and two uncles Mehmood Ahmad and Syed Ahmad were also killed in 1974 during the anti Ahmadiyya riots. Since 1984 when anti Ahmadiyya laws were promulgated 250 Ahmadis have been murdered and not a single murderer was ever prosecuted. The complete impunity granted by the state and its agencies has made life difficult for the beleaguered community to live in peace. Their places of worship, business, shops and even graveyards and homes are no longer safe. The community is made to suffer in silence as the laws and constitution of Pakistan are extremely discriminatory against Ahmadis.
The state has failed to provide protection to the religious minority groups and left them on the mercy of fundamentalist militant groups who have organised the target killers to eliminate the religious minority groups. The fundamentalist groups have also infiltrated in the ranks and cadre of law enforcement agencies which has made the life of members of religious minority groups particularly the Ahmadis a nightmare.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write the letters to the following authorities calling them to initiate an inquiry in to the target killing of Mr. Nauman Anjum, a young Ahmadi. Please urge them to stop persecution of Ahmadis and arrest the perpetrators. The government must purge the law enforcement agencies from religion based hatred and the members from different fundamentalist groups who were failed to provide protection to the religious minority groups.
Please urge them to follow the UN International Covenant on Political and Civil Rights (ICCPR) which Pakistan has ratified in 2010 and since then refusing to following it. The Article 12 of the ICCPR made it mandatory to the states to respect the right of belief and religion of all religious groups without discrimination.
The AHRC writes a separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief calling for his intervention in this matter.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear ………………..,
PAKISTAN: A young Ahmadi was killed in faith based hate campaign
Name of victim: Mr. Nauman Najam, resident of Malir, Karachi, Sindh Province
Alleged perpetrators: Unidentified assailants
Date of incident: 21 March 2015
Place of incident: Malir Karachi
I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding the target killing of a young Ahmadi in the continuous hate based crime against the religious minority.
A young Ahmadi, Mr. Nauman Najam, was shot dead by unknown assailants in Malir, Karachi, Sindh province on the evening of March 21. Unknown gunmen entered his computer hardware shop and opened indiscriminate fire. He received five gunshots, two in his chest which proved fatal; he died on his way to hospital. Nauman being an active member of the Ahmadiyya youth Association was targeted by the extremists who were following him since many days. Six months ago Nauman was robbed off his valuable at a busy junction in Karachi at gunpoint, the dacoits told him that though they were suppose to kill him they are letting him go as they (the dacoits) have received a bounty from him. Nauman had also told his brother Masood about the death threats he was receiving from unknown callers who threatened him with dire consequences. Knowing the threat to his life Nauman refuse to cower down he continued to relentlessly support and help his Ahmadi brothers.
During the year 2014, 11 Ahmadis were killed because of their faith. The hate mongering and hate crimes against Ahmadis show no signs of abating. On the other hand government has made tall claims to curb hate speech but on the ground such material is openly published and distributed with impunity.
According to Ahmadiyya organisation, because of discriminatory laws present in Pakistan every Ahmadi’s life is in danger. It is highlighted many times that the situation for Ahmadis in Pakistan is worsening with every passing day. On one hand government has made tall claims to curb hate speech but on the ground such material is openly published and distributed with impunity.
Nauman Najam’s grandfather Chaudry Manzoor Ahmad and two uncles Mehmood Ahmad and Syed Ahmad were also killed in 1974 during the anti Ahmadiyya riots. Since 1984 when anti Ahmadiyya laws were promulgated 250 Ahmadis have been murdered and not a single murderer was ever prosecuted. The complete impunity granted by the state and its agencies has made life difficult for the beleaguered community to live in peace. Their places of worship, business, shops and even graveyards and homes are no longer safe. The community is made to suffer in silence as the laws and constitution of Pakistan are extremely discriminatory against Ahmadiyyas.
The state has failed to provide protection to the religious minority groups and left them on the mercy of fundamentalist militant groups who have organised the target killers to eliminate the religious minority groups. The fundamentalist groups have also infiltrated the law enforcement agencies which have made the life of members of religious minority groups particularly the Ahmadis a nightmare.
I therefore, urge you to initiate an inquiry in to the target killing of Mr. Nauman Anjum, a young Ahmadi. I also urge you to stop persecution of Ahmadis and arrest the perpetrators. The government must purge the law enforcement agencies from religion based hatred and the members from different fundamentalist groups who were failed to provide protection to the religious minority groups. The government of Pakistan must also follow the UN International Covenant on Political and Civil Rights (ICCPR) which Pakistan has ratified in 2010 and since then refusing to following it. The Article 12 of the ICCPR made it mandatory to the states to respect the right of belief and religion of all religious groups without discrimination.
Yours sincerely,
……………….
PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. Mian Nawaz Sharif
Prime Minister
Prime Minister House
Islamabad
PAKISTAN
Fax: +92 51 922 1596
Tel: +92 51 920 6111
E-mail: secretary@cabinet.gov.pk, pspm@pmsectt.gov.pk
2. Mr. Syed Qaim Ali Shah
Chief Minister of Sindh
The Government of Sindh Province
Karachi, Sindh Province
PAKISTAN
Fax: +92 21 920 2000
Email: pressecy@cmsindh.gov.pk
3. Mr. Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan
Minister
Ministry of Interior of Pakistan
R Block, Pak Secretariat
Islamabad
PAKISTAN
Tel: +92 51 9212026
Fax: +92 51 9202624
Email: interior.complaintcell@gmail.com, ministry.interior@gmail.com
4. Mr. Pervez Rashid
Minister
Ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights of Pakistan
Old US Aid building
Ata Turk Avenue
G-5, Islamabad
PAKISTAN
Fax: +92 51 9204108
Email: contact@molaw.gov.pk
5. Mr. Tahir Shahbaz
Registrar
Supreme Court of Pakistan
Constitution Avenue, Islamabad
PAKISTAN
Fax: +92 51 9213452
Email: mail@supremecourt.gov.pk
6. Chief Justice of Sindh High Court
High Court Building
Saddar, Karachi
Sindh Province
PAKISTAN
Fax: +92 21 9213220
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
