PAKISTAN: Risk of life – Denial of right to life and religious freedom
———————————————————–
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is forwarding you the statement endorsed by several human rights organizations in Pakistan, regarding the killing of seven human rights, Justice and Peace activists on last Wednesday in Pakistan.
The signatories are, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Aurat Foundation, Amnesty International, Women’s Action Forum, Forum for Peace and Development, Caritas, Church World Service, WAR, Irteqa Institute, PILER, Urban Resource Center, Muthidda Qaumi Movement, Pakistan People’s Party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Action aid, LAHRA, and a large number of concerned citizens.
AHRC calls for a full inquiry into these horrible killings. However, given the situation of complete collapse of the law and order situation in Pakistan particularly in Karachchi, it may not be realistic to expect a credible inquiry locally.
Therefore, we call upon the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) to initiate an inquiry into this matter, and urge all international human rights community to send letters of concern to the President, Minister for Law, Justice, Human Rights and Parliamentary Affairs of Pakistan and UNHCHR.
THE STATEMENT
The Joint Action Committee for Peace (JAC) strongly condemns the gruesome killing of seven staff members of Idara-e-Amn-o-Insaf and demands security to those who were injured in the gory incident that took place in the office of the organization. They are the eyewitnesses of the incident and their life is at great risk. We urge the government to fulfill its primary responsibility of providing security to its citizens.
We believe that what happened in the office of Idara-e-Amn-o-Insaf is an act of terrorism. It is condemnable in all possible and strongest way. We condemn this brutality and demand an immediate arrest of terrorists involved in it. We also demand a high level judicial inquiry into the incident so that the real motive of the killers can be unearthed.
In an urgently called meeting, the members of the JAC said that such brutal incidents clearly reflect the hollowness of government’s claims with regard to providing security to its people. They said that the whole law and order machinery has failed to protect ordinary citizens of Pakistan. People are left with no other choice but to hire private security services. We urge the government and local authorities to arrest the killers and uncover those involved in the brutal slaughtering of human rights activists in broad day light.
The Joint Action Committee criticizes the failure of the government in putting a check on rogue elements who are inflicting terror on innocent civilians. The last few months have seen an unprecedented increase in violence against human rights and minority rights activists in Pakistan. This increase in violence shows the inability of the present government to provide security to its citizens particularly to the people of minority communities. It also proves that government has failed to control these acts of terror.
The JAC members are critical of a statement made by federal minister for law, Khalid Ranjha in which he said that NGOs are working against the national interest of the country. They said that Mr. Ranjha holds an extremely responsible government office and such ‘loose talk’ from him is highly irresponsible and condemnable. They demanded that law minister should stop giving generalized irresponsible statements against NGOs and should immediately apologize in public for his remarks against the civil society organizations. We urge that government should pay attention on apprehending the terrorist instead of using derogatory remarks against NGOs.
The members of the meeting urge the government to justify utility of the presence of thousands of law enforcement personnel in the city and the millions of rupees being spent on them every month. They are of no use as far as common people of the country are concerned, whose lives are at risk in the hands of insane terrorists.
We pray for the departed souls and show our deep sympathy with the aggrieved families. We pledge our commitment to continue the cause for which our colleagues got killed. This is not an act against few individuals but it’s threat to all those who are working for human rights, equality and social justice.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION (BBC NEW REPORT ON THE INCIDENT)
Unidentified gunmen have shot dead seven people at a Christian charity in Karachi’s central business district, Pakistani police say. They entered the third-floor offices of the Institute for Peace and Justice (IPJ) and shot their victims in the head. One other person is in a critical condition.
All those killed were Pakistani Christians.
Both gunmen escaped after the attack in the southern port city which has seen mounting attacks this year on Western and Christian targets.
Police have cordoned off the 12-storey building housing the offices. Karachi police chief, Tariq Jamil said the victims had their hands tied and their mouths had been covered with tape.
The All Pakistan Minority Alliance – a grouping of minority political parties – says it is planning three days of mourning in protest against the latest attack against the Christian community.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Please send urgently your appeals to the President of Pakistan and the UN High Commissioner of Human Rights. You may use your own words or use the following as a sample.
1. General Pervez Musharraf
Chief Executive of Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Prime Minister House, Islamabad, Pakistan
Email: CE@pak.gov.pk
Fax: +92 51 9201893, 9201835 or 9204632
Salutation: Dear General Musharraf
Dear President,
I am writing to express my shock of the killing of seven innocent persons who have been involved in Justice and Peace work. I strongly condemn this action.
I call upon you to conduit a credible and urgent inquiry into this matter and bring the culprits to justice. I also urge you to ensure that families are sympathized by the government and proper compensation is paid to all. It is also necessary to ensure that nation be assured that effective action is taken to protect its citizens.
The international community also needs an assurance that every step is being taken to restore law and order in the country and protect all citizens, particularly those who are working for the good of all by engaging in work for justice and human rights.
Thank you.
– Please send the copy of above letter to;
Dr. Khalid Ranjha
Minister for Law, Justice, Human Rights and Parliamentary Affairs
‘S’ Block Pak Secretariat, Islamabad
PAKISTAN
Fax: +92 51-9202628
Email: molaw1@comsats.net.pk
————
2. Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights,
Palais des nations, 8-14 avenue de la Paix, CH 1211 Geneve,
SWITZERLAND
Fax: +41 229170213
E-mail: webadmin.hchr@unog.ch
(Please mark “urgent attention: Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello”)
Dear High Commissioner
Re.: Killings of seven human rights and peace activists in Pakistan
I am writing to call upon to your office to intervene and express my shock at the killing of seven innocent persons who have been involved in Justice and Peace work. I strongly condemn this action. I call upon you to put pressure on the government to conduct a credible inquiry into this matter and inform the world community of its findings.
I also urge you to request the government to ensure that families are adequately compensated and proper protection is provided to the families and witnesses, sympathizers and proper compensation paid to all. The international community also needs an assurance that every step is being taken to restore law and order in the country and protect all citizens, particularly those who are working for the good of all by engaging in work for justice and human rights
United Nations owes a special duty to the Human Rights Defenders. If urgent and effective action is not taken lives of more such defenders will be at risk and many others will be silenced. We urge you to intervene effectively.
Thank you.
