The Anti Torture Alliance Pakistan has condemned what it called the “ruthless torture” of an Ahmedi teacher in police custody that allegedly led to his death and voiced concern about the “growing number” of incidents in Pakistan in which religious minorities are targeted.
In a statement released here on Tuesday, the alliance demanded a judicial inquiry into the death of Abdul Quddoos Ahmed, who allegedly died of wounds inflicted by Chenab Nagar police during several weeks in detention.
The ATA Pakistan, which described itself as an alliance of civil society groups, said that the minorities had been socially and institutionally marginalised and there were a growing number of cases of them being tortured by the police.
It said that the teacher was taken into custody by the police on February 10 for interrogation in a murder case and detained illegally for 35 days. It said that he was released on March 26 in critical condition and later died in hospital. It noted that a case had been registered against two sub-inspectors, but neither had been arrested yet.
Salman Abid of the Strengthening Participatory Organisation said that the police had tried to cover up their “criminal actions” by releasing Ahmed from illegal detention shortly before his death.
Bushra Khaliq, the focal person for ATA Pakistan, said the teacher’s “brutal murder” showed the bias against religious minorities in society. She demanded that the government urgently address the issue.
Samson Salamat, the executive director at the Centre for Human Rights Education, said that the state allowed the persecution of religious minorities .
Published in The Express Tribune, April 11th, 2012.
COMMENTS (12)
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Torture in all forms should be banned in Pakistan. It is shameful that it is openly used by the police and by the agencies. Use of torture does not contribute to more effective policing. Several studies have shown that information obtained under torture is unreliable and of no value. The widespread use of torture in Pakistan has however contributed to the general brutalisation of our society and has made life horrific for the common man.
positve step from ATA ,we should condemn such incidents
I am shocked to the marrow that those who call themselves human beings could in cold-blood murder an innocent and harmless school teacher simply because he is a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community which sect the mullahs and their cohorts in Pakistan regard as non-Muslims. We can see their own brand of Islam indeed!
The government of Pakistan, i.e. if it is not an accomplice and if it has the courage, constitute a judicial inquiry to investigate and try these beasts in human skin and sponsors with a view to bringing them to justice.
Enough of hate-crime in Pakistan. The powers that be should reflect and realize that Pharoah, Nebuchadnezzar, Abu Lahab, and their likes did worst things and Allah brought them to their knees in the end.
It is shame to say that Pakistan is an Islamic State. No justice - No security for minorities. Also it has no power whatsoever to give any Fathwa against anyone in term of religion. If this situation continues no one on this earth to save this so-called Islamic Country from the punishment of Allah - the Almighty. It is sure - It is destined.
i dont know what exact reasons of government behind this this murder..but i just know one thing that pakistan is losing day by day its moral conducts and values...these kinds of issues are talking very seriously in foreign countries...
we appreciate the civil society's step to save the citizen's of pakistan from state's brutality.
You can save yourself from a terrorist but its impossible to save yourself from your protector, when state owned them......no society can survive without Justice....
اسلام عليكم ورحمةالله وبركاته Everyone who is involved should b brought to justice! Police men like these are not humans! They just act like one!
This brutality crossed all the bounds as the late teacher was asked to sign on a false confession involving some Ahmadiyya officials for a grand scheme to defame august leadership of this community. But alas, he refused to do so at the cost of his life. If shahadat is bestowed to the declared non Muslims then he is a real shaheed.
Torture in all forms should be banned in Pakistan. It is shameful that it is openly used by the police and by the agencies. Use of torture does not contribute to more effective policing. Several studies have shown that information obtained under torture is unreliable and of no value. The widespread use of torture in Pakistan has however contributed to the general brutalisation of our society and has made life horrific for the common man.