Grave concerns: HRCP condemns murders

HRCP says, it is matter of grave concern that risks facing human rights defenders remain very high across the country.

ISLAMABAD: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has condemned the assassination of Farida Afridi, who worked with a women’s welfare organisation in Jamrud, Khyber Agency, as well as reports of a man accused of desecrating religious texts being snatched from police custody and burned to death.

In a statement on Thursday, HRCP said: “It is a matter of grave concern that the risks facing human rights defenders and those working to ameliorate the lot of marginalized segments remain very high across the country.”

HRCP also used the statement to remind the government of its obligation to provide a safe working environment to human rights defenders all over the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 6^th, 2012.