Several activists of civil society (HRCP, Aurat Foundation, WAF) and journalists gathered outside Karachi Press Club today with placards and banners and staged a demonstration against Emergency / Martial Law / Military Rule today on November 26, 2007 at about 04:00 pm.
The demonstrators chanted slogans against General Musharraf and strongly demanded that: (more…)
Karachi, November 26: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) strongly condemns police brutality on a peaceful demonstration of Awami Tehreek protesting against the Emergency at the civil courts building premises in Hyderabad on Friday, the 23rd of November.
It was shocking to note that, violating all norms of decency, male policemen lifted women and threw them into the prison vans. Police also baton-charged children and male activists and arrested more than 60 activists of Awami Tehreek, including 10 children and 25 women.
HRCP holds the provincial authorities fully responsible for the brutal police action, particularly against women and children, who were peacefully protesting against the imposition of emergency in Pakistan.
Under the present regime, harassment, victimization, disappearances (abduction by the authorities), murder, attempted murder or attacks on the life and properties of the political leaders and workers, journalists, lawyers, human right activists are continuing with impunity, in shocking numbers. (more…)
Update: Over the weekend, Muneer Malik was shifted to PIMS hospital, Islamabad, following severe deterioration of his health and negligence on the part of Jail authorities, resulting in renal failure. He is now stable but still needs critical medical attention and treatment.
Interview of Malik by DAWN News on Nov 25, 2007
Lahore, November 23: Expressing serious concern at Mr. Muneer Malik’s illness in jail and the hardships being caused to superior court judges and their families under unlawful and unacknowledged detention, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has called for immediate lifting of bar to judges’ and lawyers’ liberty. (more…)
Lahore, November 23: Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) is shocked and grieved at the killing of Ballach Marri. Whatever anybody may have had against the slain Baloch leader and whatever the circumstances of his liquidation the incident is likely to increase the Balochistan people’s alienation from the state. What is needed now is not merely a thorough probe to determine the truth about the most regrettable happening, it is time reliance on force as the sole means of securing peace and tranquillity in Balochistan was given up.
Hina Jilani
Vice-Chairperson
Wajihuddin Ahmed, a former justice, and allies raised victory signs after a brief confrontation Wednesday in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Max Becherer/Polaris, for The New York Times
An excerpt from NYtimes article “Did Pakistan Ease Rule? A Little Test Says No”
ISLAMABAD – One of Pakistan’s most distinguished jurists and a dissident lawyer approached a police cordon on Wednesday in a residential quarter here, and demonstrated in no time that even though the government claims it is taking steps to ease emergency rule, it remains firmly in place.
The government had broadcast news that the dismissed chief justice of the Supreme Court, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, under house arrest since de facto martial law was declared more than two weeks ago, was now free to move around.
So Wajihuddin Ahmed, a former Supreme Court justice, and a younger lawyer, Athar Minallah, accompanied by a large group of the legal fraternity, turned up at noon where Mr. Chaudhry lives. (more…)
Every year the HRCP international and local interns embark on different quests to look for answers. Their researches not only help them learn about the state of affairs of human rights in Pakistan, but help them gain insight on a wider spectrum. Their work is also helpful for us and others who come across it. Following is a concise trend analysis on human rights violations observed over the 2005-2006 time period, done by Aleyha Ahmed, one of our international interns for the year 2007.
Important: The numbers available in our database, compiled through an extensive nationwide network, are still covering a fraction of the actual incidents due to lack of reporting, incomplete information, and a culture of concealment and non-reporting - the last two reasons stem from a fear of dishonour, retribution, threats and lack of information – indicating that the numbers are far higher.
Trend Analysis of Human Rights Violations- 2005 & 2006
Report By Aleyha Ahmed, HRCP Intern 2007 (more…)
HRCP strongly condemns police brutality on a peaceful demonstration of the journalists and members of civil society protesting against the imposition of restrictions on the media
Karachi, November 20, 2007: In a statement issued to the press, Mr. Iqbal Haider, Secretary General, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) strongly condemned police brutality on a peaceful demonstration of the journalists and members of civil society protesting against the imposition of restrictions on the media at Karachi Press Club, today at 04:00 pm.
Mr. Haider stated that the Sindh Government and all other provincial authorities must be held responsible for the atrocious police action against male and female journalists who were peacefully protesting against the imposition of restrictions on the media.
Today, the police under the instructions of the provincial administration attacked on a peaceful demonstration of journalists with tear gas and batons and arrested hundreds of journalists and members of civil society while more than a dozen were badly injured.
He also warned the Government of Sindh that such restrictions on media are a clear violation of not only of the Constitution of Pakistan, but also is against all International charters of human rights and local laws.
Mr. Haider said that, under the present regime, harassment, victimization, disappearances (abduction by Authorities), murder, attempted murder or attacks on the life and properties of the Journalists community, lawyers, human right activists and political leaders and workers are continuing with impunity, in a shocking number and manner. (more…)
of the legal profession and media industry to protest in support of lawyers, journalists and activists who have been detained in large numbers in the ’state of emergency’ declared by General Musharraf.
As part of the global Day of Action supported by the International Federation of Journalists, demonstrations were held in Australia, Canada, India, Nepal, Norway, Paraguay, Switzerland, Turkey, the US and UK.
In London, a sizeable crowd gathered under a huge banner, holding candles and chanting messages to the Pakistan government. Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International, with Jeremy Dear, General Secretary of the National Union of Journalists and Mark Muller QC, Chair of the England and Wales Bar Council’s Human Rights Committee, presented a petition to Pakistan’s High Commission in London.
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Demonstrations around the world |
The petition, addressed to General Pervez Musharraf, demanded: (more…)
A delegation from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Karachi chapter visited the GEO Office on November 19, 2007 at 07:30 p.m. to express solidarity with Geo and its staff. The delegation was comprised of:
Mr. Iqbal Haider, Secretary General HRCP, Ms. Uzma Noorani, Council Member HRCP, Mr. Muhammad Ejaz Ahsan, Program Coordinator HRCP, Mr. Jawed Iqbal Burqi, Advocate HRCP, Mr. Abdul Hai, Field Officer HRCP
STATE OF EMERGENCY – ♦ Pictures ♦ Videos ♦ List of Arrests ♦ Demonstrations ♦ Suspended Rights ♦ Press Releases, Calls for Action ♦ Letters to the President, Ambassadors, etc. ♦ Emails, Support, Feedback ♦
Lahore November 16, 2007: HRCP has been seriously grieved on receiving information on the brutal treatment of women protestors by police at a pro-Imran demonstration yesterday. The demonstration was held in Barkat Market, Lahore, against the imposition of the emergency rule and the arrest of Imran Khan, chief of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf, and his party workers.
The police baton-charged all demonstrators, including women protestors, at the rally. The police continued to jostle and roughly handle the women workers until the lady constables arrived at the scene. HRCP considers this treatment of women supporters a shameful act by the police officers and demands that an inquiry be made to look into this. HRCP stresses upon immediate action.
Asma Jahangir
Chairperson HRCP
STATE OF EMERGENCY – ♦ Pictures ♦ Videos ♦ List of Arrests ♦ Demonstrations ♦ Suspended Rights ♦ Press Releases, Calls for Action ♦ Letters to the President, Ambassadors, etc. ♦ Emails, Support, Feedback ♦
