PESHAWAR, Sept 12: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has called upon the authorities to introduce national and international laws and conventions in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).

Human rights activist Hina Jilani said that she had received reports of “grave human rights violations against civilians” in the tribal agency of South Waziristan. The victims were identified as the old and infirm, women and children, all of whom had suffered physical or emotional injuries and had lost their homes and sources of livelihood.

According to her, the violation of basic human rights was not accidental but done through a “systematic policy”.

Speaking at a consultative seminar on ‘non-application of laws in Fata” here, Ms Jilani said that even if there were a few armed elements in civilian areas, indiscriminate firing and attacks were not allowed under international law.

Moreover, Ms Jilani said, “there should not be disproportionate forces and attacks on civilians. “Terrorising civilians is a violation of international law,” she said.

The government has not allowed the press or any relief organisation into these areas due to security reasons.

“Denial of public access to these areas is also violation of the international law,” she said.

“In the military operation in South Waziristan no limits have been kept, but there are some non-derogatory rights which should not be violated in any situation,” Ms Jilani observed.

“The situation in South Waziristan is a clear violation of Article III of the Geneva Convention which says that civilians and those who are not capable of taking part in combat should be given humane treatment,” said Nadeem Azam, a law professor at the University of Peshawar.

Afrasiab Khattak, a former chairperson of HRCP, speaking on the Frontier Crime Regulations (FCR), said such laws were discriminatory.

Other laws which were applicable in the rest of the country should also be extended to Fata as peace, development and any other progress is impossible without extension of those laws.

He said Fata was still treated as “no man’s land” and even diplomats carrying a valid passport and visa needed permission to enter or pass through the tribal areas. “How can progress be achieved in trade if there are restrictions on movement?”

He said that there was a demand on the part of the people of tribal areas to repeal the FCR but the establishment was creating hurdles.

Mr Khattak said that people of the tribal areas should be given equal rights and laws and the judiciary should be extended to Fata.

“If the army can enter the tribal areas, why not the judiciary?” asked Mr Khattak about the government’s discrimination against the tribal areas.

The other speakers also demanded the application of laws and equal rights for people living in tribal areas.