LARKANA: The Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC) in a communication with the district and sessions judge, Larkana, on Wednesday reques­ted for the provision of legal aid to four under-trial prisoners thro­ugh the District Legal Empow­erment Committee (DLEC).

Muhammed Anwar, Abdul Qayoom, Shafique Ahmed and Marbi Asad were booked in crime (No.52/2024), related to blasphemy, at Badah police station and confined in district prison Larkana under sections 298-B and 298-C PPC.

In a letter (seen by Dawn) addressed to the district and sessions judge, Larkana, who also heads the DLEC, the SHRC on behalf of its chairperson said the undersigned had received information that four suspects of blasphemy cases confined in the district prison of Larkana were in need of legal aid.

The suspects in blasphemy cases, often marginalised and vulnerable, faced significant challenges in accessing competent legal representation. That not only undermined their right to a fair trial, but also placed them at a greater risk of miscarriages of justice and due process of law, the letter contained.

The SHRC has requested the esteemed office of the district and sessions judge to take necessary measures to ensure that the suspects persons in blasphemy cases were provided with

legal aid as per the provisions of DLEC Act. This includes appointing of qualified and experienced defence counsel to represent the suspects throughout the legal proceedings.

The commission was committed to upholding the principles of justice and human rights for all individuals through due process of law irrespective of charges against them. It believed that ensuring proper legal representation for those suspects of blasphemy was a critical step towards safeguarding their rights and upholding the rule of law, the letter said.

In another letter (also seen by Dawn) written on Wednesday to the senior superintendent of police (SSP) and deputy commissioner of Larkana, the SHRC stressed the need of preventive action to maintain the law and order and ensure interfaith harmony.

Referring to different clauses of the human rights act and other documents, the letter said the commission would like to draw your attention to a potentially volatile situation that had arisen following the lodging of an FIR under the orders of the additional sessions judge/ ex-officio justice of peace, Larkana, dated 21.07.2024 against four individuals at Badah police station.

The case had attracted considerable attention on social media platform, the letter said. The SHRC stressed for the need of an immediate and pre-emptive action to prevent any unrest or communal strife/interfaith disturbances.

It was observed by the HRCP in Dr Shanawaz Kumbhar case, where a similar situation escalated, leading to mob mobilization. It was strongly recommended that necessary pre-emptive measures shall be taken by the district police and district administration in order to avoid a repetition of such incidents.

The copies of the letters were also marked to the additional chief secretary, the Sindh home department, secretary, human rights department, commissioner and DIG police Larkana.

Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2024