Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received updated information regarding the enforced disappearance of a veteran Sindhi Nationalist leader, Ustaad Muhammad Rahimoon, who was arrested from his home. Since his arrest by a contingent of Pakistan Rangers on November 23, his whereabouts are unknown.
A freedom fighter, Rahimon is today a heart patient who suffers from several chronic ailments due to his advanced age. Mr Rahimon is considered the most respected Sindhi nationalist; he has dedicated his life to the cause of establishing ‘Sindhu Desh’. Rahimon’s family fear for his life; they fear that he may succumb to torture and the LEA will conveniently term the cause of death as heart failure.
CASE NARRATIVE:
According to information received, Veteran Sindhi Nationalist Leader and Convener of the proscribed Jeay Sindh Muttahida Movement (JSMM), Ustaad Muhammad Rahimoon, son of Pir Dino Rahimoon, has been abducted by Rangers from his house in village Pir Dino Rahimoon near Kario Ganhwer Golarchi Town of Badin District, Sindh. He was abducted at the crack of dawn on November 23, 2016.
Mr. Rahimoon is considered an authority figure in Sindhi nationalism He also held office as Vice Chairman of the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz. However, for the past year and half, he has been inactive in political circles due to his advanced age. The 80-year-old Ustad Rahimoon was a senior leader of the Sindhi Nationalism Movement. But he limited his political activities following several heart surgeries’ he is also diabetic and is unable to move much outside his house.
Following his arrest, for three hours, activists of the Sindhi Nationalist Party blocked the main road at Kario Ganhwar Golarchi. Azeem Rahimoon Nephew of Ustad Rahimoon told the media that Police and Rangers imposed a semi-curfew in the area under the pretext of searching for a murderer. Rahimoon’s family members were harassed and beaten by Rangers’ officials who inquired about Rahimon’s son before taking him away.
Rahimoon is a popular figure in his area, and as per the media reports a complete shutdown was observed in Kario Ghanwar and some other towns of Badin District in the first half of the day as soon as the news about his alleged arrest spread. District Superintendent Police (DSP) Ali Raza Laghari ensured the protestors that Rahimon will soon be released. Following the assurance, protestors dispersed peacefully. Later, however, the Kario police denied the arrest altogether.
According to Dawn news, earlier in February 2016, Ustad Rahimoon was injured when police resorted to a baton-charge and shelling to quell a demonstration in Badin against the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
The party leaders of Jeay Sindh Liberal Front (JSLF) have termed the law enforcement agencies’ action a violation of fundamental human rights, and vowed to launch a phase-wise struggle against such violations.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write to the authorities listed below calling them to immediately recover Ustad Rahimoon from the Pakistan Rangers who, following his arrest, disappeared him. The government and Pakistan will be responsible if any harm is done to Ustad Rahimoon’s life. Please ask the authorities to quash all charges against him and release him immediately.
The AHRC is writing a separate letter to the UN Working Group on Enforced and Involuntary Disappearance (WGEID) calling for their intervention into this matter.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear ___________,
PAKISTAN: Release Octogenarian leader Ustad Rahimoon, disappeared following arrest
Name of the victims: Ustaad Muhammad Rahimoon, s/o Pir Dino Rahimon, resident of village Pir Dino Rahimoon near Kario Ganhwer Golarchi town of District Badin, Sindh,
Names of alleged perpetrators: Pakistan Rangers, Sindh
Date of incident: 23 November 2016
Place of incident: Village Pir Dino Rahimoon near Kario Ganhwer Golarchi Town of District Badin, Sindh,
I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding the enforced disappearance of a veteran Sindhi Nationalist leader, Ustaad Muhammad Rahimoon, after his arrest from his home. Since his arrest by a contingent of Pakistan Rangers on November 23, his whereabouts are unknown. He was a freedom fighter, who today is a heart patient that also suffers from several chronic ailments due to his advanced age. Mr Rahimon is considered the most respected Sindhi nationalist who has dedicated his life to the cause of establishing a ‘Sindhu Desh’. Rahimon’s family fear for his life; they fear that the he may succumb to torture and the LEA will conveniently term the cause of his death to be heart failure.
I am shocked to know that Veteran Sindhi Nationalist Leader and Convener of the proscribed Jeay Sindh Muttahida Movement (JSMM), Ustaad Muhammad Rahimoon, son of Pir Dino Rahimoon, has been abducted by Rangers from his house in village Pir Dino Rahimoon near Kario Ganhwer Golarchi Town of Badin District, Sindh. He was abducted at the crack of dawn on November 23, 2016.
Following his arrest, for three hours, activists of the Sindhi Nationalist Party blocked the main road at Kario Ganhwar Golarchi. Azeem Rahimoon Nephew of Ustad Rahimoon told the media that Police and Rangers imposed a semi-curfew in the area under the pretext of searching for a murderer. Rahimoon’s family members were harassed and beaten by Rangers’ officials who inquired about Rahimon’s son before taking him away.
Rahimoon is a popular figure in his area, and as per the media reports a complete shutdown was observed in Kario Ghanwar and some other towns of Badin District in the first half of the day as soon as the news about his alleged arrest spread. District Superintendent Police (DSP) Ali Raza Laghari ensured the protestors that Rahimon will soon be released. Following the assurance, protestors dispersed peacefully. Later, however, the Kario police denied the arrest altogether.
It is shocking for me that earlier in February 2016, Ustad Rahimoon was injured when police resorted to a baton-charge and shelling to quell a demonstration in Badin against the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
The party leaders of Jeay Sindh Liberal Front (JSLF) have termed the law enforcement agencies’ action a violation of fundamental human rights, and vowed to launch a phase-wise struggle against such violations.
I, therefore call upon you to immediately recover Ustad Rahimoon from the Pakistan Rangers who, following his arrest disappeared him. The government and Pakistan will be responsible if any harm is done to Ustad Rahimoon’s life. Please quash all charges against him and release him immediately.
Yours Sincerely,
……………….
PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1.Mr. Mian Mohammad 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. Murad 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. Kamran Michael
Minister For Human Rights
Through Secretary, Ministry of Human Right
ministry of human rights
State Life Building No. 5, Blue Area, Jinnah Avenue, China Chowk,
Islamabad
Tel: 051-9216620,
Fax: 051-9216621,
Email: secretary@mohr.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
7. Home minister,
Government of Sindh
Barrack 79, Pakistan Secretariat
Near MPA hostel
Karachi, Sindh Province
PAKISTAN
Fax: +92 21 9204456
Tel: +92 21 9201920-1
E-mail: secy.home@sindh.gov.pk
8. Justice Majida Rizvi
Regional Directorate of Human Rights,
Block no. 5, Sindh Secretariat No.4-A, Frere Road, Karachi.
Ph: 92-21-99205835
Fax: 92-21-99205837
Email: justicerazvi@hotmail.com
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
