KARACHI, April 27: The National Commission on the Status of Women has expressed deep concern over the fact that Zafaran Bibi of Kohat, who has been sentenced to death by stoning, is being kept in a death-cell and is not allowed to meet her relatives.

During a meeting held in Karachi on Friday 26, members of the commission decided to convey their concern to the governor NWFP, the home department and the prison authorities, with the request to intervene in the matter and treat the prisoner in accordance with the existing laws.

Under section 6 (4) of the Hudood ordinance (offence of Zina) no punishment can be executed until it is confirmed by the appellate court and until such confirmation the convict is required to be dealt in a manner as if sentenced to simple imprisonment.

The commission, therefore, recommended that the convict, being a woman, should be treated in a human and dignified manner and accorded facilities under the jail manual.

The commission also expressed its apprehension over the reported incidents of abuse and misapplication of the Hudood laws by the police and the way investigations are conducted and harsh treatment meted out to the complainants who are often victims of rape.

The commission said this was a serious matter because it rendered a society complacent to rape, defeating the very objective of the Hudood laws. The commission called upon the authorities concerned to take measures to prevent abuse of the process of law.—PPI