HRCP urges civil-military collaboration to stop sectarian attacks

Lahore, March 1: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has called upon the government to use the military wherever it is necessary for putting an end to sectarian violence in the country and has called for an impartial probe to apprehend those behind Tuesday’s attack on a bus in which 18 Shia men were killed.

A statement by HRCP on Thursday said: “The Commission is saddened by the grisly sectarian attack on a Gilgit-bound bus in which 18 Shia men were killed. It welcomes the army chief’s offer to help investigate the brazen killings by attackers who were reported to be in military uniforms. There are two aspects to it, the more important one being that the military has considerable presence in the area where the attack took place and the frequent occurrence of sectarian violence there demands that the civil authority and the military join hands to ensure effective protection and prevention strategies. At the same time, there really needs to be some regulation of the unchecked sale of military uniforms in markets across the country.

HRCP demands that the tragic attack on the bus passengers should be probed by an impartial and independent authority, along with the series of sectarian attacks in the last 10 years, to bring the perpetrators to justice. The government must redouble effort to promote sectarian harmony and tolerance to prevent further bloodshed. It must also find the will to decisively act against sectarian militant groups and show the commitment to effectively prosecute those apprehended for sectarian violence. But most importantly, the root causes of sectarian violence in society need to be looked at and addressed, especially the institutional soft corner for militants.”

Zohra Yusuf
Chairperson

By-poll infractions point to dangers ahead: HRCP

 

Lahore, February 27: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed shock and alarm at the deviations from normal sensible behaviour that were witnessed during by-elections held in ten constituencies on Sunday.

A statement issued by HRCP on Monday said: “The events that took place during the by-elections have pointed to the dangers that can haunt us come the general election. These include preventing women from voting under agreement or otherwise, violence upon polling staff, unrestricted display of firearms and firing around polling booths and employment of police personnel for interference in legitimate balloting. All these events reported during this limited exercise must be thoroughly probed and no quarters given to any offender party, otherwise the dream of free and fair elections would forever remain elusive. The remedy lies not only with the Election Commission—although it has the first responsibility in the presence of abundant evidence of the infractions—but also with the government and the political parties and above all with the people who have to demonstrate responsibility and commitment to the democratic principle rather than to petty interests or clan loyalty.”

Zohra Yusuf
Chairperson

HRCP has deep concern at Sindh University situation

Lahore, February 9: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has strongly condemned the recent developments atSindh University where, following the killing of Professor Bashir Channar on January 2, unjustified action has been taken against protesting teachers.

A statement issued by the Commission on Thursday said: “HRCP notes with alarm that the services of two representatives of Sindh University Teachers’ Association, Dr. Arfana Mallah and Dr. Azhar Ali Shah, have been terminated and show-cause notices issued to other teachers. The university had only reopened a few days ago on the assurance of the Sindh Governor that the vice-chancellor of Sindh University, who is past the age of retirement, would be replaced in accordance with the demands of the teachers.

“HRCP also has serious reservations over the authorities’ apathetic approach towards acknowledging and addressing teachers’ concerns. It defies reason why the teachers must protests for weeks upon weeks before their concerns register on the official radar. The teachers have protested long and in a peaceful manner for demands that are not unreasonable: a judicial probe into the assassination of Professor Bashir, withdrawal of police and Rangers from the campus, restoration of student unions and removal of the vice chancellor.

“It is regrettable that Sindh University and most other universities in the province are headed by academics who have crossed the retirement age. In a recent meeting with the HRCP vice-chairperson for Sindh and members of HRCP Council, the Sindh Governor had agreed to look into the issues concerning the Sindh University. HRCP calls upon the Governor, in his capacity as chancellor of Sindh University, to rescind the decisions regarding the dismissal and issuance of show-cause notices to teachers and take effective steps to fulfil the government’s obligation to ensure an atmosphere free from intimidation and conducive for academic progress at the university.”

 Zohra Yusuf

Chairperson

Deaths in building collapse expose travesties galore: HRCP

 Lahore, February 8: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed alarm and incredulity at the shoddy state of affairs that led to the tragic death of nearly two dozen people in Lahore when a boiler explosion reportedly brought down a three-storey ‘pharmaceutical laboratory’.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Commission said: “Our heart goes out to the families of the poor workers killed in the collapse of a so-called pharmaceutical laboratory building in Lahore on Monday. The disaster has exposed the utter non-existence of any regulatory system, which is as horrific as it is incredible. We now learn that the factory was operating without a licence and in a residential area, that most of the workers were women and very young children employed in clearly exploitative conditions, that the establishment had not been assessed for environmental impact and the premises had not been inspected because the provincial government have abolished labour inspectors’ visits to factories since 2002. The banning of labour inspection is a travesty that amounts to the government’s acquiescence into industrialists’ greedy operations above all else. How such an indefensible policy continues to prevail says something about the persuasive power of big business.

“If such appalling exploitation and illegalities go on unnoticed and unchecked in the country’s second largest city, it should not be too difficult for anyone, including the rulers, to imagine how bad things must be in places that are not quite so close to the seat of government or are not as well covered by the media. Those in power must realise that the people have entirely reasonable and exceedingly diminishing expectations of the government safeguarding their interest. They must preempt such tragedies rather than reacting with posthumous compensation packages and rhetoric. There is plenty of blame to go around and fixing such a broken system would take some doing. For the workers at the factory in Lahore it is too late but for the sake of countless others who continue to work in similar and worse conditions, it is hoped and demanded that the government shows some imagination and spine to put a stop to the policies that make a mockery of the people’s rights and precipitate such disasters.”

Zohra Yusuf
Chairperson

HRCP’s concern at killing of Sibi protesters

Lahore, February 6: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed serious concern at the death of two men in Sibi on Saturday when security forces personnel opened fire on demonstrators protesting against the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti’s kin inKarachi last week.

The Commission said in a statement: “HRCP regrets very much the deaths and injuries among demonstrators in Sibi when FC personnel opened fire on them. Media reports suggest that around 300 people had blocked the National Highway to protest the killings and had prevented an FC convoy from passing through.

“Such use of force plays into the hands of those who want the situation to aggravate in the province, if further aggravation is possible. HRCP reiterates the people’s right to peaceful protest and emphasises that the authorities must exhaust all possible options before resorting to the use of lethal force and only do that to prevent violence and bloodshed that cannot be prevented otherwise. Furthermore, in view of the charged environment in the province these things must not be seen as mere law and order issues. HRCP welcomes the government’s decision to hold a judicial probe and very much hopes that unlike earlier probes the findings of this one would be made public.”

 Zohra Yusuf
Chairperson