Home / News / Urgent Appeals / PAKISTAN: Seven Christian human rights and peace activists were killed by militant group
 

PAKISTAN: Seven Christian human rights and peace activists were killed by militant group

September 25, 2002

URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION URGENT ACTION
<br>

<br>
ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAM
<br>

<br>
26 September 2002
<br>
-----------------------------------------------------------
<br>
UA-45-2002: Seven Christian human rights and peace activists were killed by militant group
<br>

<br>
PAKISTAN: Risk of life - Denial of right to life and religious freedom
<br>
-----------------------------------------------------------
<br>

<br>
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.
<br>

<br>
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.
<br>

<br>
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.
<br>

<br>
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.
<br>

<br>

<br>
THE STATEMENT
<br>

<br>
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.
<br>

<br>
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.
<br>

<br>
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.
<br>

<br>
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.
<br>

<br>
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.
<br>

<br>
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.
<br>

<br>
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.
<br>

<br>

<br>
BACKGROUND INFORMATION (BBC NEW REPORT ON THE INCIDENT)
<br>

<br>
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.
<br>

<br>
All those killed were Pakistani Christians.
<br>

<br>
Both gunmen escaped after the attack in the southern port city which has seen mounting attacks this year on Western and Christian targets.
<br>

<br>
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.
<br>

<br>
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.
<br>

<br>

<br>
SUGGESTED ACTION
<br>

<br>
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.
<br>

<br>
1. General Pervez Musharraf
<br>
Chief Executive of Islamic Republic of Pakistan
<br>
Prime Minister House, Islamabad, Pakistan
<br>
Email: CE@pak.gov.pk
<br>
Fax: +92 51 9201893, 9201835 or 9204632
<br>
Salutation: Dear General Musharraf
<br>

<br>
Dear President,
<br>

<br>
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.
<br>

<br>
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.
<br>

<br>
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.
<br>

<br>
Thank you.
<br>

<br>

<br>
- Please send the copy of above letter to;
<br>

<br>
Dr. Khalid Ranjha
<br>
Minister for Law, Justice, Human Rights and Parliamentary Affairs
<br>
'S' Block Pak Secretariat, Islamabad
<br>
PAKISTAN
<br>
Fax: +92 51-9202628
<br>
Email: molaw1@comsats.net.pk
<br>

<br>
------------
<br>

<br>
2. Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello
<br>
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
<br>
Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights,
<br>
Palais des nations, 8-14 avenue de la Paix, CH 1211 Geneve,
<br>
SWITZERLAND
<br>
Fax: +41 229170213
<br>
E-mail: webadmin.hchr@unog.ch
<br>
(Please mark &quot;urgent attention: Mr. Sergio Vieira de Mello&quot;)
<br>

<br>
Dear High Commissioner
<br>

<br>
Re.: Killings of seven human rights and peace activists in Pakistan
<br>

<br>
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.
<br>

<br>
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
<br>

<br>
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.
<br>

<br>
Thank you.
<br>

Document Type :
Urgent Appeal Case
Document ID :
UA-45-2002
Countries :
Document Actions
Share |
Subscribe to our Mailing List
Follow AHRC
Extended Introduction: Urgent Appeals, theory and practice

A need for dialogue

Many people across Asia are frustrated by the widespread lack of respect for human rights in their countries.  Some may be unhappy about the limitations on the freedom of expression or restrictions on privacy, while some are affected by police brutality and military killings.  Many others are frustrated with the absence of rights on labour issues, the environment, gender and the like. 

Yet the expression of this frustration tends to stay firmly in the private sphere.  People complain among friends and family and within their social circles, but often on a low profile basis. This kind of public discourse is not usually an effective measure of the situation in a country because it is so hard to monitor. 

Though the media may cover the issues in a broad manner they rarely broadcast the private fears and anxieties of the average person.  And along with censorship – a common blight in Asia – there is also often a conscious attempt in the media to reflect a positive or at least sober mood at home, where expressions of domestic malcontent are discouraged as unfashionably unpatriotic. Talking about issues like torture is rarely encouraged in the public realm.

There may also be unwritten, possibly unconscious social taboos that stop the public reflection of private grievances.  Where authoritarian control is tight, sophisticated strategies are put into play by equally sophisticated media practices to keep complaints out of the public space, sometimes very subtly.  In other places an inner consensus is influenced by the privileged section of a society, which can control social expression of those less fortunate.  Moral and ethical qualms can also be an obstacle.

In this way, causes for complaint go unaddressed, un-discussed and unresolved and oppression in its many forms, self perpetuates.  For any action to arise out of private frustration, people need ways to get these issues into the public sphere.

Changing society

In the past bridging this gap was a formidable task; it relied on channels of public expression that required money and were therefore controlled by investors.  Printing presses were expensive, which blocked the gate to expression to anyone without money.  Except in times of revolution the media in Asia has tended to serve the well-off and sideline or misrepresent the poor.

Still, thanks to the IT revolution it is now possible to communicate with large audiences at little cost.  In this situation there is a real avenue for taking issues from private to public, regardless of the class or caste of the individual.

Practical action

The AHRC Urgent Appeals system was created to give a voice to those affected by human rights violations, and by doing so, to create a network of support and open avenues for action.  If X’s freedom of expression is denied, if Y is tortured by someone in power or if Z finds his or her labour rights abused, the incident can be swiftly and effectively broadcast and dealt with. The resulting solidarity can lead to action, resolution and change. And as more people understand their rights and follow suit, as the human rights consciousness grows, change happens faster. The Internet has become one of the human rights community’s most powerful tools.   

At the core of the Urgent Appeals Program is the recording of human rights violations at a grass roots level with objectivity, sympathy and competence. Our information is firstly gathered on the ground, close to the victim of the violation, and is then broadcast by a team of advocates, who can apply decades of experience in the field and a working knowledge of the international human rights arena. The flow of information – due to domestic restrictions – often goes from the source and out to the international community via our program, which then builds a pressure for action that steadily makes its way back to the source through his or her own government.   However these cases in bulk create a narrative – and this is most important aspect of our program. As noted by Sri Lankan human rights lawyer and director of the Asian Human Rights Commission, Basil Fernando:

"The urgent appeal introduces narrative as the driving force for social change. This idea was well expressed in the film Amistad, regarding the issue of slavery. The old man in the film, former president and lawyer, states that to resolve this historical problem it is very essential to know the narrative of the people. It was on this basis that a court case is conducted later. The AHRC establishes the narrative of human rights violations through the urgent appeals. If the narrative is right, the organisation will be doing all right."

Patterns start to emerge as violations are documented across the continent, allowing us to take a more authoritative, systemic response, and to pinpoint the systems within each country that are breaking down. This way we are able to discover and explain why and how violations take place, and how they can most effectively be addressed. On this path, larger audiences have opened up to us and become involved: international NGOs and think tanks, national human rights commissions and United Nations bodies.  The program and its coordinators have become a well-used tool for the international media and for human rights education programs. All this helps pave the way for radical reforms to improve, protect and to promote human rights in the region.