“The commission’s Executive Council notes with great dismay the addition of several alarming dimensions to the many human rights challenges faced by Pakistan since the council last met in April,” a statement issued at the conclusion of a two-day autumn meeting of the HRCP council in Quetta said.
According to the commission, the political situation, characterised by sit-ins, has diverted attention away from other more important issues.
“One of the outcomes has been strengthening of sectarian forces; the people hope and expect the government would remain mindful of its obligation to address the pressing concerns of the people, especially the human rights concerns, even as it tries to find ways to reach out to the parties engaged in dharnas,” the commission said.
Religious extremism
HRCP observed there has been an unchecked rise in religious extremism and the situation has worsened for religious and sectarian minority communities.
The commission said a sequence of attacks on Sikhs in Peshawar, assaults on Hindus in Umerkot and on temples elsewhere in Sindh, the target killing of an Ahmadi doctor in Mirpur Khas, killing of Ahmadis in Gujranwala, of Zikris in Awaran and attack on a blasphemy convict in Adiala prison are just some of the manifestations of increase in fanaticism and intolerance.
“Many of those charged under the blasphemy law have become all the more precarious as it has become almost impossible for them to defend themselves at their trial,” HRCP said, adding that the murder of slain advocate Rashid Rehman for daring to defend a blasphemy accused and complete lack of interest of authorities to go after his killers has further encouraged impunity.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 16th, 2014.
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