Dear Friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received updated information that Ms. Nasira Parveen, a victim of police excess and inhuman torture, has attempted self immolation after her case for action against the Station House Officer, Kasowal Police Station, Punjab, was dismissed by a civil judge. The delinquent officer was exonerated of all charges. Disheartened by the injustice, Nasira poured petrol over herself, but accidently set the courtroom door on fire. This was Nasira’s third attempt to kill herself. The victim has been seeking redress for the past 6 years, despite the odds, however the judicial system has failed her at every step. Frustrated by the incessant injustice meted to her, Nasira has been forced to take dire steps to protest against the injustice.
UPDATED INFORMATION:
According to the updated information received from Star Welfare Organization, Nasira Parveen had filed an application for registration of an FIR against the police officers, SHO Kasowal, Sub inspector Shahid Bhutta, Constable Afzal, Maqsood, Iqbal alias Balla and 10 others, in the court of Additional Session Judge Riffat Sultan Sheikh. Upon orders of the session judge, a case of police excess was filed at the Kasowal Police Station. However, in contravention to the rule, SHO Ashraf Bhatti was appointed as the investigation in charge in his own case. The case proceeded in the court of Civil Judge Chichawatni Tauseef Adeel Hassan.
As described in our original appeal (UAC-148-2015), Nasira Parveen, 42, wife of Muhammud Amjad, and a mother of five children, lives in Sahiwal District, Chechawatni. In June 2010, her bangle shop, the only mean of the family’s livelihood, was set on fire by members of a drug cartel. She was later gang raped by the same arsonist when she reported the crime to the police. On 15 November 2015, SHO Shahid Bhuta raided Parveen’s house. The physical assault by the SHO resulted in a broken finger for Parveen; but the SHO, in connivance with a medico legal officer, covered up the injury, and had it passed off as accidental.
On 16th April 2016, the civil judge dismissed the case. Hoping for redress, Nasira was extremely disheartened by the verdict. She poured petrol over herself in front of the court in protest, but she accidently set the court room door on fire, forcing those present in the court to flee.
Fearing arrest, Naisra took refuge inside the chamber of her lawyer. After about 4 hours she emerged from the room, only to be arrested by the police officers present at the scene. Nasira was dragged outside the court premises by male police officers, who kicked and hit her brutally.
For the past six years, Nasira and her family are suffering the wrath of the police officers. The lower judiciary has colluded with the delinquent police officers, ensuring them full impunity. Naisra has knocked several doors only to be turned away each time.
The AHRC is deeply concerned that the victim’s life is in great danger.
SHO Kasowal may try to harm her to seek revenge.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please send letters to the concerned authorities calling on them to provide safety and security to Ms. Nasira Perveen who for the past six years has suffered gang rape, police torture, and unfair trial in the lower judiciary. Her family is also under threat from the local police and it is feared that any member of her family can be killed in an encounter to squash the case with finality.
Please urge them to prosecute all the involved persons, including police officials, particularly SHOs Shahid Nazir and Arif Bhatti, who have abetted the drug dealers.
The AHRC will be writing a separate letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Question of Violence Against Women calling for his intervention into this matter.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear ___________,
Name of victim:
1. Ms. Nasira Parveen, wife of Muhammad Amjad, resident of Borah Road, Iqbal Nagar Tehsil, Checha Watni, District Sahiwal, Punjab
2. Muhammad Usman, 22, resident of Borah Road, Iqbal Nagar Tehsil, Checha Watni, District Sahiwal, Punjab
3. Muhammad Imran, 19, resident of Borah Road, Iqbal Nagar Tehsil, Checha Watni, District Sahiwal, Punjab
4. Muhammad Zeshan, 17, resident of Borah Road, Iqbal Nagar Tehsil, Checha Watni, District Sahiwal, Punjab
5. Natasha Amjad, 9, resident of Borah Road, Iqbal Nagar Tehsil, Checha Watni, District Sahiwal, Punjab
6. Muhammad Umar, 4, resident of Borah Road, Iqbal Nagar Tehsil, Checha Watni, District Sahiwal, Punjab
7. Muhammad Amjad, resident of Borah Road, Iqbal Nagar Tehsil, Checha Watni, District Sahiwal, Punjab
8. Maqsood Ahmad, son of Jahngeer, Resident of G.T. Road, Iqbal Nagar, Tehsil Checha Watni, Sahiwal, Punjab
Names of alleged perpetrators:
1. Sub Inspector Arif Bhatti, former SHO of Kasowal Police Station, Sahiwal, Punjab
2. Sub Inspector Shahid Nazeer, SHO of Kasowal Police Station, Sahiwal, Punjab
3. Mr. Shabbir Goga, son of Muhammad Anwar
4. Mr. Jameel Hussain, son of Nazeer Ahmed
5. Mr. Nadeem Maseh, son of Anwar Maseh
6. Mr. Waseem Dogar, son of Rasheed Garh
7. Mr. Ramzan alias Sabba, son of Lal deen
8. Miss Parveen urf Babli, wife of Shabbir urf Goga
9. Mr. Muhammad Javeed, son of Lal deen
Date of incident: 16 April 2016
Place of incident: Civil Judge Court, Chichawatni
I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding the received updated information that Ms. Nasira Parveen, a victim of police excess and inhuman torture, has attempted self-immolation after her case for action against the Station House Officer, Kasowal Police Station, Punjab, was dismissed by a civil judge. The delinquent officer was exonerated of all charges.
I am depressed to know that disheartened by the injustice, Nasira poured petrol over herself, but accidently set the courtroom door on fire. This was Nasira’s third attempt to kill herself. The victim has been seeking redress for the past 6 years, despite the odds, however the judicial system has failed her at every step. Frustrated by the incessant injustice meted to her, Nasira has been forced to take dire steps to protest against the injustice.
According to the updated information I have received, Nasira Parveen had filed an application for registration of an FIR against the police officers, SHO Kasowal, Sub inspector Shahid Bhutta, Constable Afzal, Maqsood, Iqbal alias Balla and 10 others, in the court of Additional Session Judge Riffat Sultan Sheikh. Upon orders of the session judge, a case of police excess was filed at the Kasowal Police Station. However, in contravention to the rule, SHO Ashraf Bhatti was appointed as the investigation in charge in his own case. The case proceeded in the court of Civil Judge Chichawatni Tauseef Adeel Hassan.
I point out here the previous appeal (UAC-148-2015), Nasira Parveen, 42, wife of Muhammud Amjad, and a mother of five children, lives in Sahiwal District, Chechawatni. In June 2010, her bangle shop, the only mean of the family’s livelihood, was set on fire by members of a drug cartel. She was later gang raped by the same arsonist when she reported the crime to the police. On 15 November 2015, SHO Shahid Bhuta raided Parveen’s house. The physical assault by the SHO resulted in a broken finger for Parveen; but the SHO, in connivance with a medico legal officer, covered up the injury, and had it passed off as accidental.
On 16th April 2016, the civil judge dismissed the case. Hoping for redress, Nasira was extremely disheartened by the verdict. She poured petrol over herself in front of the court in protest, but she accidently set the court room door on fire, forcing those present in the court to flee.
Fearing arrest, Naisra took refuge inside the chamber of her lawyer. After about 4 hours she emerged from the room, only to be arrested by the police officers present at the scene. Nasira was dragged outside the court premises by male police officers, who kicked and hit her brutally.
I am appalled that for the past six years, Nasira and her family are suffering the wrath of the police officers. The lower judiciary has colluded with the delinquent police officers, ensuring them full impunity. Naisra has knocked several doors only to be turned away each time.
The AHRC is deeply concerned that the victim’s life is in great danger.
SHO Kasowal may try to harm her to seek revenge.
I, therefore, call you to provide safety and security to Ms. Nasira Perveen who for the past six years has suffered gang rape, police torture, and unfair trial in the lower judiciary. Her family is also under threat from the local police and it is feared that any member of her family can be killed in an encounter to squash the case with finality.
I also urge you to prosecute all the involved persons, including police officials, particularly SHOs Shahid Nazir and Arif Bhatti, who have abetted the drug dealers.
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 or pspm@pmsectt.gov.pk
2.Federal Minister of Law and Human Rights
Ministry of Law, Justice and Human Rights
Old US Aid building
Ata Turk Avenue
G-5, Islamabad
PAKISTAN
Fax: +92 51 9204108
Email: contact@molaw.gov.pk
3.Mr. Rafiq Rajwana
Governor of Punjab
Governor House
Mall Road
Lahore, Punjab
PAKISTAN
Fax: +92 42 99203044
Email: governor.sectt@punjab.gov.pk
4.Mr. Chief Justice of Punjab Province
Lahore High Court
Shahra-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Lahore
PAKISTAN
Tel: +92 42 99212951-66
Fax: +92 42 99212279
Email: webmasterlhc@lhc.gov.pk
5.Mr. Shahbaz Sharif
Chief Minister
Government of Punjab
Province Chief Minister
Secretariat 5-Club Road
GOR-I, Lahore, Punjab
PAKISTAN
Fax: +92 42 99205065
Email: cmcomplaintcell@cmpunjab.gov.pk
6.Mr. Justice Tahir Shahbaz
Registrar of the Supreme Court of Pakistan
Constitution Avenue, Islamabad
PAKISTAN
Fax: +92 51 9213452
Email: mail@supremecourt.gov.pk
7.Mr. Rana Sana Ullah Khan
Minister of Law
Government of Punjab
Punjab Secretariat
Ravi Road
Lahore, Punjab
PAKISTAN
Fax: +92 42 99212004
E-mail: law@punjab.gov.pk
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
