The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has strongly condemned the assassination of renowned activist and human rights defender Sabeen Mahmud. The commission demanded that Sabeen’s killers must be held to account and immediate steps must be taken to address the escalating threats and violence against rights defenders across Pakistan.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the commission said: “HRCP strongly condemns the killing of Sabeen Mahmud, rights activist and Director of T2F and Peace Niche, in Karachi on April 24. Her mother was injured in the attack. Sabeen was returning home after the conclusion of a discussion titled “Unsilencing Balochistan”. She had reportedly been asked not to hold the roundtable on Balochistan.
“Over the years, Sabeen had developed her café, T2F, into a space for open discussion and sharing of ideas on issues ranging from politics to culture.
“HRCP is deeply perturbed by the fact that voices advocating rights and tolerance are increasingly being silenced through violence all over the country. Karachi saw the killing of Orangi Pilot Project (OPP) director Perween Rahman who was fighting for land rights for the poor, two years ago. An year ago, HRCP’s coordinator Rashid Rehman was gunned down in Multan for defending a blasphemy accused.
“Our heart goes out to Sabeen’s family and to countless others who were privileged enough to know and work with her. HRCP reiterates its longstanding call to ensure a prompt, thorough and impartial investigation to bring to justice those responsible in this and other cases of attacks on human rights defenders. The authorities must also acknowledge the growing protection challenges for human rights defenders and must adopt measures to ensure their safety and to end impunity for the perpetrators who have been systematically silencing Pakistan’s bravest daughters and sons.”
