Call for presenting missing activists before court

Saher Baloch Published January 17, 2017

KARACHI: During a gathering of activists at the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan’s (HRCP) office on Monday, rights activists demanded that all missing activists and bloggers be presented before court.

The activists agreed that concerns regarding enforced disappearances needed to be raised as such cases could not be seen in isolation. They also stressed the need for protests and demonstrations by all communities.

It was also decided that a protest march will be held on Jan 19, beginning from the Arts Council and ending at the Karachi Press Club.

The HRCP called a meeting to discuss the future course of protests by rights activists keeping in mind “the safety of bloggers and activists already in custody”. The meeting was chaired by columnist and activist Mir Mohammad Ali Talpur and moderated by vice chairperson of the HRCP, Sindh, Asad Iqbal Butt.

Protest announced for 19th

Mr Butt said that the recent disappearance of activists and bloggers had raised concerns over the right to express opinions even on digital forums. “Irrespective of a person’s ideology, or opinion, and whether or not we agree with them, everyone should have the right to speak and share their opinions,” he said.

Speaking about the registration of a blasphemy case against the activists in Sector I-9 Police Station in Islamabad on Monday, Asad Butt said that “this is a result of rumours spread by Facebook pages against the activists soon after they were picked up”.

A senior member of the HRCP, Abdul Hayee, said that people who approached the HRCP needed to provide their exact addresses and names, otherwise their cases would not hold a chance if presented before court. “HRCP is an open space and we listen to everyone, provided we can verify the claims in order to register a case either in a police station or file a petition in court.”

Dr Riaz Ahmed, professor at Karachi University (KU), said there needed to be a national conference in which families of the missing persons from all over Pakistan were invited. “Disappearances continue unabated where no arrest warrant is shown before taking away a person. Recently, five persons were taken away from the KU. Those who came back are still unable to speak about their experience. If we don’t speak up now, we’ll be next,” he added.

Representing the Urban Resource Center, Zahid Farooq, said that their office “recently received a suggestion to not criticise CPEC”. The suggestion came soon after the Karachi Circular Railway (KCR) became part of the CPEC, he added. Looking at the current scenario, and the development work happening across Pakistan, he said that “there’ll be more disappearances in the coming days”.

Representing the Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (Piler), Zulfiqar Shah, said that activists were at times concerned with the number of people showing up at a protest. “We need to understand that even if 20 people show up at a protest, it sends across a strong message. Also, curtailment of freedom is a universal issue. This can be an opportunity for us to reach out to people in other countries to gain more solidarity,” he added.

Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2017

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Bon

Jan 17, 2017 10:27am

Most of these people just get lost and then show up the next day. We need to define what a missing person is. Get staright.

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Jameer

Jan 17, 2017 10:29am

There is being a systematic propaganda campaign being ran against Pakistan and its institutions. These so called liberals and HR activists don't the difference between advocating for human rights and promoting unrest and boderline insurgency in Pakistan. They need to be properly educated.

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Mustafaf

Jan 17, 2017 10:33am

We should follow the example of India. Introduce sedition charges against people who take cover as Human Right activists and then use it to promote insurgency and unrest in the country. The real faces of these people should be shown to the general public.

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Concerned Pakistani

Jan 17, 2017 10:51am

@Bon Very funny. The matter of forced disappearances is being raised internationally and becoming serious day by day. If there are charges against someone then due course of law should be taken.

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mfk

Jan 17, 2017 02:57pm

first explain against whom is this protest? what does it have to do with state if they have gone underground themselves because their identities and activities are exposed

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Kumail

Jan 17, 2017 09:30pm

Human Right activist is one of the most noble professions and is respected and value around the world. However in Pakistan we entered a stage where foreign agencies and hostile elements often take cover behind these HR elements/organizations. If HR organizations want credibility and their voices to be heard in government institutions they need to draw a clear line between themselves and the hostile/sepeartist elements.

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Kumail

Jan 17, 2017 09:35pm

@Concerned Pakistani What concerns me is that these organizations are so quiet when we incidents like Peshawar APS and Quetta. But they become so active when there is an issue of Baluchistan. Why are they not being impartial.

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Mangoes

Jan 17, 2017 09:34pm

I worked in a HR NGO, for 2 years in Karachi. These organizations only employ people who hold certain hostile sentiments towards the state of Pakistan. Often in the organization, the top dogs would discuss support for separatist elements. I have campaigned for the rights of Baluchis for a long time, however I took a stand against promoting violence and extermisim in the country. I love my country.

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