Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from Urban Resource Centre-Pakistan, an organization working on housing rights, that one person was shot dead and more than 10 were injured by thugs, with the help of the police, during an illegal demolition on 3 October 2007. However the case has not been filed nor has an investigation been initiated. This is allegedly due to interference from the ruling party, which originally sent the thugs to demolish the houses in the village.
CASE DETAILS:
At noon on 3 October 2007, 12 police jeeps from the Korangi township, along with bulldozers, came to the 300-year-old village, the Juma Kalmati Goth, Ibrahim Hyderi, Bin Qasim town, Karachi. About 50 to 60 armed people belonging to the party, Mutehda Qoumi Movement (MQM), some in police uniform, emerged from the jeeps. After they got down from the jeeps, they started demolishing the houses and their belongings. They also aimed their guns at the women and children as most of the male inhabitants had gone out for work. The women and children were prevented from stopping the demolition and so had no choice but to shout and cry. Then, they gathered and started protesting against the demolition.
After hearing these noises, Mr. Sultan Junejo, who was at home after finishing his night duty, went to see the situation. Suddenly the thugs started firing at the protesting group of people. Due to this fire, Junejo was shot in the chest and fell down. More than 10 persons were seriously injured. Junejo was taken to a hospital nearby where he was pronounced dead. After the fire, the group of people scattered and ran away from the demolition squad.
According to the information received, Juma Kalmati Goth comes under Bin Qasim town. The demolition was carried out by individuals from the Korangi township, which is a stronghold of the ruling party, MQM. Dr. Farooq Sattar, a top leader of the party, was elected as a member of the National Assembly and Mr. Arif Khan was elected as the Nazim (Mayor) of Korangi town. After the incident, the Nazim (Mayor) of Korangi town, Jan Alam Jamote, vehemently denied that his town office conducted the demolition of the village. However, witnesses identified that the demolition vehicles and police jeeps were marked as originating from Korangi township.
This is the second time that the thugs, under the guardians of the ruling party, have conducted an illegal demolition on the village, despite a government title in 1973 as the villagers’ property.
In May and September 2006, the thugs attempted to demolish other old villages in Karachi city but they stopped after strong protests and reactions from the media and civil society. During the demolitions half a dozen people were killed and many were forcibly displaced.
Ironically, this illegal operation occurred just two days after World Habitat Day, whilst the government of Pakistan has continuously claimed that it will provide shelter to the people, according to the international laws. The motive of the demolition is believed to be the acquisition of the land, which is in a prime position in the city of Karachi.
The demolition operation has currently been stopped. Nevertheless, about 50 houses were ruined and 300 family members have no place to live. It is alleged that neither investigation nor compensation by the government has been initiated due to interference from the ruling party, which originally sent the thugs to demolish the houses in the village.
It is unacceptable that the investigation into the killing of Mr. Sultan Junejo and those injured by gunshots, has not been launched yet. This case also illustrates how easily the police can be arbitrarily mobilised in such an illegal operation, for an ulterior purpose or interest, instead of protecting a citizen’s life and property. In addition, it is alarming that illegal demolitions have occurred, despite similar cases last year. An impartial investigation should also been launched without delay and those responsible should be punished. The government of Pakistan has the responsibility to prevent a similar incident in the future.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please send your letters to the authorities listed below and urge them to punish those responsible through an impartial investigation. Appropriate compensation and shelter should be provided.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear __________,
PAKISTAN: One shot dead and several injured by firing during illegal demolition
Name of victims:
1) Mr. Sultan Junejo (shot dead)
2) Mr. Beejal (injured)
3) Mr. Ramzan Shaikh (injured)
4) Mr. Mohammed Bakhsh (injured)
5) Mr. Hafeez, Fareed (injured)
6) Ms Pervez Begum (injured)
7) Mr. Mohammed Siddiq (injured)
8) Ms. Shazia (injured)
9) Ms. Yasmeen Khan (injured)
10) Ms. Amina Begum (injured)
11) Mr. Liaquat Bahadur (injured)
12) Mr. Rashid Azam (injured)
13) Mr. Khalil Khan (injured)
14) Mr. Noorul Islam (injured)
15) Mr. Raees (injured)
[All are residents of Juma Kalmati Goth, Ibrahim Hyderi, Bin Qasim town, Karachi, Sindh province]
Name of alleged perpetrators:
1) Mr. Arif Khan, Town Nazim of Korangi town, Karachi, Sindh province
2) Town police officer, Korangi town police, Karachi, Sindh province
Date of incident: At noon on 3 October 2007
Place of incident: Juma Kalmati Goth, Ibrahim Hyderi, Bin Qasim town, Karachi
I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding the casualties of villagers that occurred during an illegal demolition operation in the Juma Kalmati Goth, Ibrahim Hyderi, Bin Qasim town, Karachi.
According to the information received, 12 police jeeps, belonging to the Korangi township, along with bulldozers, came to the village on 3 October 2007. Approximately 50 to 60 armed people (some wearing police uniforms) started demolishing the houses in the village without legal authority. When there was a protest by the villagers, mainly women and children, the thugs (including the police) fired guns and the villagers scattered.
Due to this illegitimate firing by the thugs, Mutehda Qoumi Movement (MQM), Mr. Sultan Junejo was shot in his chest and fell down and more than 10 persons were seriously injured. Junejo was taken to a hospital nearby and was pronounced dead.
According to the information received, the Juma Kalmati Goth comes under the Bin Qasim town but the demolition was carried out by members of the Korangi town, which is a strong hold of the ruling party, MQM. Dr. Farooq Sattar, a top leader of the party, was elected as the member of the National Assembly and Mr. Arif Khan was elected as the Nazim (Mayor) of Korangi town. After this incident, the Nazim (Mayor) of Korangi town, Jan Alam Jamote vehemently denied that his town office has conducted any demolition to the village. However, witnesses identified that the demolition vehicles and police jeeps which used for demolition to the village were marked the name of Korangi town ship.
This is the second time that the thugs, under the guardians of the ruling party, have conducted an illegal demolition on the village, despite a government title in 1973 as the villagers’ property. In May and September 2006, the thugs attempted to demolish other old villages in Karachi, but were stopped after strong protests and reactions from the media and civil society. During the demolitions half a dozen people were killed and many were forcibly displaced.
The demolition operation has currently stopped. Nevertheless, about 50 houses have been destroyed and 300 family members are homeless. Allegedly, neither investigation nor compensation by the government has been initiated, due to interference from the ruling party, originally sent the thugs to demolish the houses in the village.
This case also illustrates how easily the police can be arbitrarily mobilised in such an illegal operation, for an ulterior purpose or interest, instead of protecting a citizen’s life and property. In addition, it is alarming that illegal demolitions have occurred, despite similar cases last year.
In light of the above, I urge you to conduct an impartial investigation without delay and those responsible should be punished. The investigation should include all elements of the case surrounding Mr. Sultan Junejo’s killing and the injured villagers. In addition, it should reveal the nexus between the thugs, under the guardians of the ruling party, and the police. It is unacceptable the ease with which the police can be mobilised in this illegal demolition operation.
I take this opportunity to draw your attention to the fact that the government of Pakistan has a crucial responsibility to protect the lives of its citizens and their property. As it welcomed the World Habitat Day on 1 October, it has continuously claimed that it will provide shelter according to the international norms. Thus accordingly, appropriate housing and reasonable compensation should be provided for the people who have been affected by this illegal demolition.
I look forward to your prompt action in this matter.
Yours sincerely,
—————-
PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. General Pervez Musharraf
President
President’s Secretariat
Islamabad
PAKISTAN
Fax: +92 51 922 1422, 4768/ 920 1893 or 1835
E-mail: (please see-> http://www.presidentofpakistan.gov.pk/WTPresidentMessage.aspx)
2. Minister of Law, Justice and Human Rights
S Block Pakistan Secretariat
Islamabad
PAKISTAN
Fax: +92 51 920 2628
E-Mail: minister@molaw.gov.pk
3. Mr. Justice Sabih Uddin
Chief Justice of Sindh High Court
High Court Building
Saddar
Karachi
PAKISTAN
Fax: +92-21-9213220
Email: info@sindhhighcourt.gov.pk
4. Dr. Ishrat UL Ibad
Governor of Sindh province
Karachi
PAKISTAN
Tel: + 92 21 920 1201
Fax: +92 21 920 1226
E-mail: pvt_secretary@governorsindh.gov.pk (for private secretary of Governor)
5. Dr. Arbab Abdul Rahim
Chief Minister of Sindh
Chief Minister House
Karachi
PAKISTAN
Fax: +92 21 920 2000
5. Chief Secretary
Government of Sindh
Chief Secretariat,
Karachi, Sindh province,
PAKISTAN
Tel: +92 21 921950
Fax: +92 21 9211946
Email: cs.sindh@sindh.gov.pk
6. Secretary
(Criminal Prosecution) SGA &CD Department
Government of Sindh
Sindh Secretariat,
Karachi, Sindh Province
PAKISTAN
Tel: +92 21 9213327-6
Fax: +92 21 9213873
Email: secy.cpsd@sindh.gov.pk
7. Dr. Faqir Hussain
Registrar
Supreme Court of Pakistan
Supreme Court Building
Islamabad
PAKISTAN
Tel: +92-51-9213770
Fax: +92 51 9213452
E-mail: registrar@supremecourt.gov.pk
8. Mr. Philip Alston
Special Rapporteur on Extra-judicial, Summary, or Arbitrary Executions
Room 3-016
OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Fax: +41 22 917 9006 (ATTN: SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS)
9. Mr. Miloon Kothari
Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing
OHCHR-UNOG
8-14 Avenue de la Paix
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Fax: +41 22 917 9066 (ATTN: SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ADEQUATE HOUSING)
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrchk.org)
