In peril: The year that was for fundamental rights
2,773 people were killed in 303 incidents of terrorism nationwide this year
2,773 people were killed in 303 incidents of terrorism nationwide this year. PHOTO: MOHAMMAD JAVAID/EXPRESS
LAHORE:
Human rights violations continued unabatedly over the year nationwide with rampant instances of target killing, terrorism, communal developments, and misuse of blasphemy laws, gender, racial, religious discrimination and executions of hundreds of convicts.
Human rights, which have been termed fundamental rights in the Constitution, include security of life, liberty and property; freedom to profess religion and manage religious institutions; equality and freedom of speech among others were incessantly violated by anti-state, sectarian, religious fanatics and sexists.
In the name of ridding the nation of terrorism, over 230 prisoners, most convicted for killing to settle personal scores, were sent to the gallows nationwide much to the consternation of international rights organisations and the United Nations (UN).
Terrorism
Over last year, 303 incidents of terrorism took place nationwide wherein 2,773 lost their lives and nearly 700 were injured. Among them were 432 civilians, 196 personnel of various security agencies. 2,146 terrorists were killed in separate anti-terror developments.
Sectarian violence
Sectarian violence, especially against various Shia sects continued across the nation. 131 Shias were killed and 184 injured in 11 separate incidents. One security workers was martyred and four terrorists were killed in the attacks. The deadliest attack among these was the May 13 gun attack on a bus carrying adherents of the Ismaili Muslim community at Safoora. The bus attack left 45 dead and two dozen injured.
25 anti-Shia militants were killed and 11 injured in anti-sectarian developments. Among the dead were three Jaish-i-Islam and 22 Lashkar-i-Jhangvi militants. LeJ leader Malik Ishaq and his two sons were among them.
Drone strikes
The much derided drone strikes also continued over the year. in total 15 incidents 106 suspected terrorists were killed and 17 injured across a total of 15 strikes. It is pertinent to mention here that 13 strikes were carried out by American drones while the other two were executed using the indigenously manufactured Burraq drones. 24 alleged militants were killed in the Burraq strikes.
Bullet-ridden bodies
The recovery of bullet-ridden bodies continued across Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Karachi. In a total of 20 incidents, 66 bodies of civilians, two of security personnel and 18 of suspected terrorists were recovered. 11 such incidents were recorded in Balochistan, three in the FATA, two in K-P and four in Karachi.
Minorities and blasphemy laws
Religious minorities continued to face the music on the basis of their confession and through misuse of blasphemy law. The most prominent among these were the March 15 Youhanabad church attacks that left 15 dead and 70 injured and the November 21 ransacking of a chipboard factory owned by members of the Jamaat-i-Ahmadiyya.
In other incidents, an unidentified assailant gunned down a local Ahmadi leader on December 27, 2014 in Gujranwala in broad daylight. A day back, the Supreme Court (SC) denied bail to a manager of Al-Fazl—the 102-year-old Ahmadiyya daily. A charged mob attacked house of a Christian couple in Sheikhupura but timely intervention of the police on July 2 saved them. A Christian headmaster in Kasur was beaten up by his colleagues on October 5 due to his confession. An inquiry has been initiated against a Christian physical education instructor for allegedly proselytising. A division bench of Lahore High Court (LHC) on October 16 dismissed the appeal of blasphemy convict Aasia Bibi and confirmed her death sentence. Brothers Liaquat Ali and Umar Daraz were sentenced to death by LHC on September 18 for blaspheming.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 10th, 2015.
Human rights violations continued unabatedly over the year nationwide with rampant instances of target killing, terrorism, communal developments, and misuse of blasphemy laws, gender, racial, religious discrimination and executions of hundreds of convicts.
Human rights, which have been termed fundamental rights in the Constitution, include security of life, liberty and property; freedom to profess religion and manage religious institutions; equality and freedom of speech among others were incessantly violated by anti-state, sectarian, religious fanatics and sexists.
In the name of ridding the nation of terrorism, over 230 prisoners, most convicted for killing to settle personal scores, were sent to the gallows nationwide much to the consternation of international rights organisations and the United Nations (UN).
Terrorism
Over last year, 303 incidents of terrorism took place nationwide wherein 2,773 lost their lives and nearly 700 were injured. Among them were 432 civilians, 196 personnel of various security agencies. 2,146 terrorists were killed in separate anti-terror developments.
Sectarian violence
Sectarian violence, especially against various Shia sects continued across the nation. 131 Shias were killed and 184 injured in 11 separate incidents. One security workers was martyred and four terrorists were killed in the attacks. The deadliest attack among these was the May 13 gun attack on a bus carrying adherents of the Ismaili Muslim community at Safoora. The bus attack left 45 dead and two dozen injured.
25 anti-Shia militants were killed and 11 injured in anti-sectarian developments. Among the dead were three Jaish-i-Islam and 22 Lashkar-i-Jhangvi militants. LeJ leader Malik Ishaq and his two sons were among them.
Drone strikes
The much derided drone strikes also continued over the year. in total 15 incidents 106 suspected terrorists were killed and 17 injured across a total of 15 strikes. It is pertinent to mention here that 13 strikes were carried out by American drones while the other two were executed using the indigenously manufactured Burraq drones. 24 alleged militants were killed in the Burraq strikes.
Bullet-ridden bodies
The recovery of bullet-ridden bodies continued across Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Karachi. In a total of 20 incidents, 66 bodies of civilians, two of security personnel and 18 of suspected terrorists were recovered. 11 such incidents were recorded in Balochistan, three in the FATA, two in K-P and four in Karachi.
Minorities and blasphemy laws
Religious minorities continued to face the music on the basis of their confession and through misuse of blasphemy law. The most prominent among these were the March 15 Youhanabad church attacks that left 15 dead and 70 injured and the November 21 ransacking of a chipboard factory owned by members of the Jamaat-i-Ahmadiyya.
In other incidents, an unidentified assailant gunned down a local Ahmadi leader on December 27, 2014 in Gujranwala in broad daylight. A day back, the Supreme Court (SC) denied bail to a manager of Al-Fazl—the 102-year-old Ahmadiyya daily. A charged mob attacked house of a Christian couple in Sheikhupura but timely intervention of the police on July 2 saved them. A Christian headmaster in Kasur was beaten up by his colleagues on October 5 due to his confession. An inquiry has been initiated against a Christian physical education instructor for allegedly proselytising. A division bench of Lahore High Court (LHC) on October 16 dismissed the appeal of blasphemy convict Aasia Bibi and confirmed her death sentence. Brothers Liaquat Ali and Umar Daraz were sentenced to death by LHC on September 18 for blaspheming.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 10th, 2015.