THE Women’s Action Forum Karachi Chapter condemns the illegal use of force against peaceful protesters outside the Karachi Press Club.

THE Voice of Missing Persons of Sindh organised on May 20 a protest and hunger camp for three days outside the KPC. During the protest, men in plain clothes and Rangers personnel manhandled those chanting slogans and beat them. Women at the protest who intervened were also beaten and their clothes torn as a result. Phones were snatched from some of the protestors and four of them were taken away.

The law-enforcement authorities must be reminded that their actions are punishable under law. Why were male officers physically manhandling female protesters, actions that also violate section 509 of the PPC? Where were the female officers?

WAF demands an inquiry ordered so that those responsible are held accountable. It believes all citizens have a right to raise their voices against injustices. These voices must not be subjected to brute force and high-handedness by state authorities.

Afiya for WAF

Karachi

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2018