The murderers of renowned environmentalists Abdul Ghani and Haji Abu Bakar are still at large, as some powerful media personalities are giving them protection, said Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) chairman Muhammad Ali Shah. “Everyone knows who killed these fishermen and recently the killers called a meeting inviting some influential from across the coastline and also some journalists. We are trying to collect more information and once we get enough proof, we will disclose it,” said Shah while talking with Pakistan Today.
The deceased environmentalists of the Kakapir Village had been protesting against the massive mangrove deforestation along the Karachi coast. The PFF had started a series of protests after their killing and demanded the government arrests the killers. Despite repeated protests, the killers have not been arrested so far.
Meanwhile, the international network for economic, social and cultural rights (ESCR-Net), a global human rights watchdog comprising 180 organisations from 66 different countries, has written a letter to the President of Pakistan and other authorities as well as UN Special Rapporteur Margaret Sekaggya, urging them to take immediate action for arresting murderers of the PFF activists and giving complete check to degradation of mangroves forests in the area.
Expressed serious concern over acts of violence and continued threats against leaders of ESCR-Net member PFF, the letter states that requests for protection have largely been ignored or actively repressed in certain instances.
The letter strongly condemns the attacks and ongoing harassment against the fisherfolk leaders as well as obstruction of their access to justice. The network urges the Pakistani authorities to take all necessary measures to refrain from all acts of aggression against human rights defenders, provide protection and prosecute those guilty of recent attacks.
According to ESCR-Net, PFF members resisting the clearance of mangroves along the coastal towns in the administrative limits of Kemari and Bin Qasim in Karachi are facing threats and violence in response to their defence of human rights. Nearby communities have reportedly experienced increased food insecurity resulting from the loss of some 500,000 hectares of mangrove forests that serve as breeding grounds for fish, mating grounds for migratory birds and safeguards against damage from tides.
“The acquisition of lands by private interests that want to benefit from mangrove clearing for commercial development purposes has further aggravated this dire situation. In response, the PFF has engaged in writing letters to concerned authorities, coordinating with the Asian Human Rights Commission and filing petition in the Supreme Court of Pakistan, and convening a number of demonstrations, marches and hunger strikes.
“Yet, continued threats and harassment against PFF members has prompted the organisation to remind the authorities of their promises and to seek protection for the villagers of Kaka Pir. It is alleged that the Pakistani authorities have failed to launch a proper investigation or bring charges against the perpetrators.
“We strongly condemn the threats and attacks against the human rights defenders and urge all competent federal, state and municipal authorities in Pakistan to refrain from future violent actions against fisherfolk and bring government officials to account for any involvement in such violence; provide protection to fisherfolk and investigate the crimes committed, particularly the murders of May 5, in order to identify those responsible within the context of an independent and impartial criminal trial; undertake all necessary measures to ensure fisherfolk’s human rights to food, water and a healthy environment are protected from abuse by third parties; apply the articles set out in the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 9, 1998, especially in relation to the obligation of the state to guarantee “the protection…of everyone, individually and in association with others, against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of the rights referred to in the present Declaration” (Art. 12.2).
The letter further demanded a guarantee to respect human rights and fundamental liberties throughout the country, in accordance with the international human rights norms signed and ratified by Pakistan.
