55 trans people killed in three years

Author: Staff Report

At least 55 trans people were killed across Khyber Pukhtunkhwa (KP) from 2015 to 2017, while 1,133 incidents of violence against the persecuted community were reported in the period.

These facts were stated at the launch of a report titled Trend Analysis of Violence Against Transgender Community in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The report compiled by TransAction Alliance, a network of trans people working to end discrimination against the community, is based on data gathered by volunteers and is meant to document the plight of the community, so that remedial action can be ensured.

Among the 1,133 incidents of violence documented in the report are incidents of sexual harassment, sexual assault, physical torture and beating, gang rape, torture, intimate partner violence, extortion and robbery, misconduct at police stations or public spaces, wrongful confinement and forced eviction.

Speaking on the occasion, Farzana Jan, the president of the TransAction Alliance, said that the report was first of its kind in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to report and document data on violence. “The cases mentioned in the report are just the tip of the iceberg since most of the cases are reported from just a few districts. The transgender community in remote districts avoids reporting violence cases as there is no help available for them there, so many hate crimes go unreported,” she said.

Jan stated that violence against transgender community not only threatened their right to life but it also restricted their freedoms including freedom to expression, movement, and speech. “To change the way transgender people are treated, we really need to understand the full extent of the problem and look for viable solutions. By this report TransAction has tried to hold a mirror up to the whole society.”

Arzu Khan, the general secretary of the TransAction Alliance, shared that transgender people have been facing elevated levels of violence in KP since the last two years. She broke down the cases of violence into sub-categories, which included 310 incidents of sexual harassment and assault, 157 of rape, 97 of torture and physical abuse, 69 of kidnapping and abduction, while 369 of intimate partner violence. “Transgender people are equal citizens of Pakistan and like all other communities we are striving to live dignified lives. There is no doubt that many positive changes have taken place but the violence and discrimination the trans community faces must stop.”

Qamar Naseem, the programme coordinator at Blue Veins, expressed concern regarding the low ratio of FIRs registered on complaints filed by trans people, and stated that it was alarming that cases of violence were increasing day-by-day but the ratio of reporting was decreasing. “Because of the fear of legal implications, complex judicial system, mis-behavior and misconduct at the police stations and impunity, most of the transgender community usually avoids to report their cases. There needs to be improved relationship between police and transgender community so that they can report their cases without any fear and restrictions.”

Taimur Kamal, the coordinator at the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Civil Society Network, stated that people needed to recognise transphobia for what it was, and realise that it must always be unacceptable. “Every person has the right to exercise their constitutionally guaranteed rights without any fear and threat. The epidemic of violence against transgender people is a serious crisis that demands immediate attention. Reporting the issue is very significant to find out the solution and this report is a tool to use this data to advocate for increased safety and resources for transgender community of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.”

Published in Daily Times, August 7^th2018.