The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed alarm at growing intolerance and abuse of belief, continued incidents of enforced disappearance and illegal detention of citizens in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, proliferation of sectarian violence and a general breakdown in law and order in the country and called these overwhelming challenges to the citizens’ right to life and freedom to practice their religious belief.
A statement issued at the conclusion of the HRCP Council meeting on Sunday said, “The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan is disappointed at the continued enforced disappearances and illegal detention across the country, especially in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This endemic malaise has proliferated in conjunction with the plague-like spread of sectarian violence in Pakistan, which is both widespread and systematic.”
It said that the HRCP viewed the rising intolerance and extremism with acute anxiety. All aspects of life, including education and the justice system were being affected, the statement said, adding that all this amounted to making a mockery of the majority’s belief as well as mocking others’ religious beliefs and indeed the very right to hold these beliefs.
The statement said that nothing short of single-minded reform and sustained education and awareness drives would stem this destructive tide, adding that the use of blasphemy law to persecute religious minorities should also be highlighted and exposed. HRCP called upon the authorities to dismantle all sectarian organisations hobnobbing with militant elements and ensure effective implementation of the ban on militant organisations. Reiterating its view that the future of democracy and the state’s integrity depend on the holding of free and fair elections, HRCP called upon all political parties, media and civil society organisations to play their part in ensuring peaceful and free elections, particularly in Balochistan, and help the Election Commission of Pakistan in discharging its onerous responsibilities, as the present state of disorder and lawlessness posed a serious threat and undermines the prospects of peaceful elections. HRCP welcomed the Election Commission’s decision regarding re-polling at the polling stations where less than 10 percent of the registered women voters cast their ballots and added that the decision needed to be implemented as it would increase women’s participation in the electoral process and also prevent the illegal pacts made by candidates and political parties to bar women from voting. HRCP also called upon the government to fulfil in the same term the promise it made regarding conversion of capital punishment into life imprisonment. Unfortunately, the plight of flood affectees in Sindh and Balochistan continues to be compounded by a lack of government response, it said. HRCP called upon the civil society and the media to actively play a more responsible role as watchdogs for people’s rights and in continuously reminding the authorities of their obligation towards all human rights of all citizens without exception.
State of human rights going from worse to worst
