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HRCP says no action in Jamia Hafsa case shows military-jihadi link

* Discusses ‘growing anarchy’ in annual general meeting

Staff Report

LAHORE: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) discussed the “dysfunctional government”, growing anarchy, rising religious militancy, the “disappearances” of citizens and the current judicial crisis in its annual general meeting on Sunday.

The commission then issued the following statement:

“This annual general meeting (AGM) of the HRCP has found that the firsthand reports of the situation in the various parts of the country point to: A strong link between state agents and militant groups that are operating in the country with impunity; and that resolving such deep-seated rot in the system of governance is not possible unless unrepresentative organs of the state – the military, the mullah and the all-consuming intelligence agencies – are brought under control and prevented from undermining both the state and the societies.

The following are some of the issues arising out of this review of the dysfunctional state and governance that have been identified.

Descent into anarchy: The complete collapse of the rule of law, coupled with the emergence of many forms of militias that have taken control of parts of the country, most notably in the NWFP, denotes a descent into a state of total anarchy. Taliban-style militias control areas of Tank, Darra Adam Khel and Dera Ismail Khan. A struggle continues for control over an area disputed between Peshawar and the Mohmand Agency, affecting at least 100,000 people. Elsewhere too, across the country, there has been a complete collapse of law and order. Violent crimes are a daily occurrence in larger cities and small towns across the Punjab and Sindh. A sharp rise in the number of cases of kidnapping for ransom has been seen everywhere, with inter-provincial gangs operating with apparent impunity. In Sindh, Hindus are being especially targetted. In Balochistan, rocket attacks and bomb blasts take place regularly, even in Quetta as well as in towns like Pasni and Turbat. 116 bomb blasts were recorded in the province during the last six months. Power-supply installations have recently been targetted, inflicting immense hardships on citizens and especially farmers. This AGM warns that the anarchy currently prevailing shows the state has lost all writ, and is longer able to protect the lives or property of citizens anywhere.

Judicial crisis: The struggle waged by citizens, and particularly lawyers, against the removal of the chief justice of Pakistan and the blatant intervention in the judicial process by the military regime, has underscored the people’s commitment to safeguarding what remains of judicial independence and democratic norms. This HRCP AGM supports the efforts of people to protest the actions taken by rulers who now seem to believe even the most basic rules of democracy and good governance can be pushed aside. We also call on all human rights activists across the country to join in this campaign. The AGM reiterates its demand that democracy be restored immediately, and holds that this is the only way to end the current crisis, begin the process of restoring judicial independence and avoid a plunge into further disaster. The AGM pays its tribute to members of the bar associations for leading the movement on the independence of the judiciary.

Rising religious militancy: The excesses committed against innocent citizens by the female students of the Jamia Hafsa in Islamabad are only the latest phase in an accelerating process of Talibanisation. The dire warnings of forced ‘Islamisation’, suicide attacks and the setting up of a ‘Qazi’ court by the clerics running the controversial Lal Masjid, are even grimmer. The closure of girls’ schools, video and music shops, barber’s shops and the delivery of edicts against NGOs has continued unchecked over the past two years in the NWFP. Areas in Bannu, Malakand and Tank are under Taliban-rule. Video shops have been bombed and barbers threatened. The MMA provincial government, for its part, is reported to be considering bans on dance and music, and has already stopped cultural events at educational institutions. The failure of authorities to act against those committing these crimes has inevitably emboldened religious fanatics, who are now expanding their activities in major cities. This AGM is not convinced by President Pervez Musharraf’s assertion that the rampaging women armed with sticks are not being stopped to avoid injuring them. This is ironic since over the past months, dozens of female political workers, labour leaders, NGO activists and others have been beaten by police with batons, dragged on the ground and their clothes ripped. HRCP expects the government to resort to legal measures against anyone defying the law. The lack of action in this case only exposes the deep-rooted links between the military and religious jihadi groups, which is the prime factor behind the rising threat in the country. It can be ended only by ensuring the rule of law is upheld.

‘Disappearances’: The campaign against ‘disappearances’ by local human rights groups and international monitors has highlighted the extent of the problem. Even as the apex court hears petitions on the issue, more people continue to be whisked away by the secret agencies over which the state seems to have no writ. In many cases their families have been warned not to speak out. This AGM is also horrified by the violence inflicted by police early in 2007 on the relatives and friends of ‘disappeared’ people trying simply to draw attention to the terrible plight of people whose husbands, fathers, sons and brothers have been held in secret detention for months or years. The official contention that these people had themselves left their homes, possibly to take part in ‘jihad’, is simply incredulous. We demand that rather than resorting to a policy of lies and deception, the government make an honest effort to locate these persons, try them for any crime they are accused of and inform families of their whereabouts.

Socio-economic distress: The socio-economic plight of people has been highlighted by the notable increase in the number of suicides committed through 2006 and the first few months of 2007. In 2006, at least 2,090 people committed suicide, according to data collected by the HRCP. Most cited fiscal difficulties for their desperate actions. The attempt by a father in Mian Channu in Punjab to sell his sons was also reported. This AGM asserts that rather than doling out meaningless individual charity, as was done in this case, the extent of the crisis facing people in the country due to rising poverty, inflation and unemployment be addressed. Acute disparity between provinces and regions makes matters worse. Ensuring people have a means to livelihood is a basic duty of State.

Balochistan unrest: Conflict and unrest continues in Balochistan. In Dera Bugti and Kohlu, where military personnel staged an operation through much of 2006, repressive tactics continue to be used by law enforcers. There have been many reports of illegal arrests of political activists, of ‘disappearances’ and of harassment. The treatment meted out to Akhtar Mengal, of the BNP, who was held in a ‘cage’ while appearing before an anti-terrorism court in Karachi, is just one example of victimisation of Baloch nationalist leaders. HRCP has received news of fighting in areas such as Awaran and Panjgur. This AGM believes the problems of Balochistan will remain unsolved until people are fully involved in decision-making, issues related to provincial autonomy addressed and a process of political dialogue involving all parties initiated.

Attacks on the media: Threats to media freedoms have continued to come from both official and non-official quarters. Journalists have been abducted, threatened and beaten as part of a campaign to suppress dissent. Whereas some cases, such as the ‘picking-up’ by agencies of the BBC’s Dilawar Wazir in November last year or the abduction of Peshawar-based journalist Sohail Qalandar early this year by unknown persons, have been extensively reported, HRCP has continued to receive many other reports of threats and harassment by reporters who have sought anonymity. Private television channels have also been targetted. The mayhem inflicted by police within the offices of the ‘Geo’ channel in Islamabad is one of the worst incidents. Other channels too have been warned to tone down criticism of the government. This AGM reiterates its view that suppression of dissent can only aggravate existing social tensions, while the claims of a free media made by official quarters today fool no one.

Forced conversions: Attacks on non-Muslim citizens have taken place across the country. These include violence against persons belonging to different faiths and attacks on temples, churches and other places of worship. This AGM is particularly alarmed that the trend of ‘forced conversions’, especially of young women, is continuing most notably in Sindh. Reports of false cases registered against Hindus in Sindh, as a means of political victimisation are equally disturbing. Until policies that can ensure protection of non-Muslims and a recognition of their status as equal citizens are not adopted, such violations will continue.

Political detainees: This AGM condemns in the strongest terms the establishment’s policy of detaining political dissidents and denying them due process. Such unlawful tactics have never helped any regime in suppressing democratic opposition and will fail now also. All political workers who are being held without charge must be freed forthwith if they cannot be tried under law.

Mayhem in Northern Areas: Government failure to rein in sectarian militants and its tendency to turn a blind eye to the years-old confrontation between armed groups, especially in the Northern Areas, have again caused a wave of fratricide in Parachinar and Chitral. More than two scores of people have already perished in this seasonal madness and the entire population of the riot-torn areas is living in unbearable fear and anxiety. The government will lose whatever little credit it has with the people if it cannot restore peace in the Northern Areas and all citizens, regardless of their belief, cannot be guaranteed security of life and liberty.

Jirga justice: Despite a ban, jirgas still continue to be held in Sindh and other parts of the country. In most cases, the decisions they mete out inflict suffering on women and other vulnerable citizens. The recent incidents of people being killed as a result of mob violence and jirga verdicts are especially shocking.

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