September 26, 2008	Friday	Ramazan 25, 1429

LAHORE, Sept 25: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Thursday called upon the authorities to avoid aggravating the already unbearable plight of the civilian population. He commission, however, endorsed the need to use effective force to fight terrorism in the NWFP.

In a statement issued here, HRCP Chairperson Asma Jehangir said: “The human rights situation in Swat is alarming and is getting worse every day. The commission is shocked and grieved at the loss of life as a result of firing by security forces on a crowd that was only drawing attention to their unbearable suffering.”

Information available to the HRCP reveals the situation in Swat is harrowing for more than one reason. The population is facing a serious threat from militants and disruption of electricity, gas and water supply and shortage of edibles have compounded their misery, reads the statement.

“While people have to put up with extended curfew, at some places round-the-clock, they must have protection against criminals and lawless elements who appear to be enjoying a free hand. In this situation, the peoples’ decision to demonstrate in Mingora is a measure of their courage as well as their despair, for which they deserve to be respected and not fired upon,” it says.

“The anxieties of local people have been fueled by reports that the militants are able to strengthen their domination in the areas falling under Matta, Khawazakhela and Kabal police stations and that the authorities themselves appear to be skeptical about the outcome of the operation against them. Almost everywhere, people are astounded by the inability of law enforcement agencies to track the apparently unhindered movement of the militants.”

The statement said the ordeal of the people could be judged from the killing of at least three individuals – Abdul Kabeer Khan, Musa Khan and Muhammad Amin – for affiliation to the government. In one case, the victim, brother of a sitting minister, resisted the militants throughout the night and consistently called for help but his cries for help went unheeded. Eventually, he and his family were mercilessly killed. Equally hair-raising was the story of another victim whose child was killed in front of his eyes before he himself was liquidated.

The HRCP called for investigation of such cases and for justice to be done. It said such murderous act did not enjoy any religious sanction and their perpetrators deserved to be dealt with collectively as they were themselves responsible for inviting the use of force against them. —Staff Reporter