PCSW Chairperson Fauzia Viqar said that the incident was a continuation of the recent upsurge in cases of violence against women and girls across the country. PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE:
The Punjab Commission on the Status of Women (PCSW) on Saturday condemned the rape and murder of a 20-year-old woman and the hanging of her body from a tree in Nawankot, Layyah.
PCSW Chairperson Fauzia Viqar said that the incident was a continuation of the recent upsurge in cases of violence against women and girls across the country.
According to a Human Rights Commission of Pakistan report, 2,576 rape cases were reported in the Punjab in 2013.
“The audacity of the perpetrators in hanging the victim’s body points to a disturbing disregard for the law and perceived impunity whereby people think that they can get away with such acts without being punished,” she said.
“The commission has taken note of the incident and will follow the case to ensure that the perpetrators get maximum punishment,” she said. She also urged police to register a case under provisions of rape and murder to provide for maximum punishment. “Do not permit perpetrators to take advantage of relief under Qisas and Diyat provisions of the law,” she urged the authorities.
The commission suggested that lawmakers and the federal government should treat such murders as crimes against the state. The chairperson also said that DNA evidence in all such cases was very important.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 22nd, 2014.
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