HRCP's 2008 report highlights some longstanding concerns and gives a sense of the challenges ahead
The year 2007 ended on a bleak note with the assassination of Pakistan's liberal leader and former Prime Minister, Benazir Bhutto. Though dejection and pessimism ran high, with elections around the corner, many felt hopeful for a change and looked forward to rebuilding the nation's morale. However, 2008 did not end on a more different note.
The 238-page State of Human Rights in 2008 report published by Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) provides statistics and recommendations on all human rights issues. It highlights some long-standing concerns such as terrorism, rights of minorities and freedom of speech and also brings forth new challenges, the primary challenge being talibanisation of Pakistan.
The issue of safety versus terrorism remains a primary focus in the report. Rule and enforcement of law present a worrying picture of disintegration. With the knowledge that things are worsening in 2009, reading many known and unknown events of last year just increases a sense of derangement and dread. Even though the suicide attacks last year were less in number (67) than in 2007 (71), they were more deadly. Compared to 927 lives lost in 2007, 973 people lost their lives to violent attacks in 2008.
Interestingly, NWFP, FATA, Islamabad and Punjab were the most hit areas with only one suicide attack in Balochistan and none in Sindh. However, violence rampant in Karachi did its part in increasing the number of deaths in the city than those killed by suicide bombs in the entire country. Citing Karachi Citizen Police Liaison Committee (CPLC), the HRCP's report places the number of victims of all forms of violence in Karachi at 777 compared to 344 violence-related deaths in 2007.
The astounding increase is further highlighted by the fact that out of those 344 deaths in 2007, 155 were killed during one big attack on Benazir Bhutto's motorcade in October. Thus incidences of violence increased manifold in 2008, a testimony to the government's failure to provide safety to the citizens.
Whereas parallel justice system and vigilante action have further exacerbated the law and order situation in the country, they also highlight the absence of a swift and fair justice system and effective law enforcing institutions. Thus the jirgas in various parts of the country continued to challenge the writ of state in 2008. However, public frustration in face of neck-breaking economic and religio-social pressures and rising apathy to brutality was abundantly visible in the vigilante actions of burning alleged robbers and dacoits in three different areas of Karachi and Lahore.
The country's prison system does not help public anger and numbness to extreme violence. The prison system, according to the report, houses an "overwhelming majority" of "under trial prisoners" burdening already crowded prisons. Karachi's Central Prison has 5,800 prisoners against its capacity of 1,600. The poor conditions have led to various jail riots and protests. Instead of serving as correctional institutions, the prisons are hardening the convicts and non-convicts alike.
The section on fundamental rights of movement, thought, religion, expression, assembly and association presents a familiar picture -- one that has become a reality of life in Pakistan. Examples of extremist bent of mind are presented in the report on the rights and safety of minorities. The report details an incidence where a mufti claimed it was permissible in Islam to murder Ahmedies on a programme aired on one of the largest television channels in the country. In the days that followed, three Ahmedies were killed in Sindh. Unfortunately nothing was done as the government took no notice of the killings and the television channel and the anchor were not called for explanation.
Other minorities also continued to suffer in 2008 under the controversial Blasphemy Law. Jagdeesh Kumar, a Hindu factory worker in Karachi, was killed outside his workplace because he was accused of blasphemy. The killers included many of his coworkers.
Out of 15 cases registered against Muslims under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code, 13 cases were in Punjab. Similarly, out of 16 cases registered against Ahmedies, 12 were in Punjab, and all 6 new cases registered against Christians were in Punjab as well. Such figures hint at the ease with which such laws are being abused in Punjab for personal gains rather than pointing towards the more sacrilegious nature of Punjabis. The federal cabinet's approval, however, of the Sikh Marriage Ordinance, 2008, is a welcomed initiative for the minorities. This ordinance allows marriages solemnised under Sikh personal law to be registered in Pakistan.
It is unfortunate that women and children are still a disadvantaged section of the society. HRCP's report reflects that women's bodies continue to be the bearer of family honour. This concept leads to gruesome violence against them in order to bring shame either to them or their family. Such violence includes rape (350 cases reported in 2008), gang rape (445), stripping (13), honour killing (612), acid attacks (37) and amputation (4). The report also quotes Acid Survivor Foundation, Pakistan (ASF) which reported 54 acid burn victims in the first four months of 2008. Another horrifying new tradition of "eliminating fallen women" has surfaced in those areas which have seen increased Talibanisation. Thus, HRCP's findings show that on average, 3 women were killed in Pakistan for various reasons in 2008.
One positive initiative regarding women, however, has been the submission of Protection from Harassment Bill, 2008 and Domestic Violence Bill to the National Assembly for deliberations. It is hoped that these bills will not only be passed, but stricter enforcement will be ensured to bring relief to women.
HRCP's findings reveal that children have not fared better in the past year. The report quotes the latest UNESCO figures that confirm Pakistan's net enrolment ratio is 73 percent for boys and 57 percent for girls. The gender gap has widened from 19 percent in 1972 to 25 percent. According to the statistic by the UN, the dropout rate in Pakistan is 50 percent higher than in other countries of the world. In addition to lower resources to education and health, girls' school bombings in Swat have prevented 17,200 girls from going to schools. UNESCO's report termed Pakistan's education system a failure with the sector riddled with weak governance and high inequality in finance and basic education. In addition, reports of child recruitment by armed militias increase the urgent need for educational and economic reforms in the country.
HRCP's report reflects the descending turmoil in Pakistan. What is more unnerving is that, with just four months into the new year, this document already reads a precursor to more alarming events of 2009.
The 238-page State of Human Rights in 2008 report published by Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) provides statistics and recommendations on all human rights issues. It highlights some long-standing concerns such as terrorism, rights of minorities and freedom of speech and also brings forth new challenges, the primary challenge being talibanisation of Pakistan.
The issue of safety versus terrorism remains a primary focus in the report. Rule and enforcement of law present a worrying picture of disintegration. With the knowledge that things are worsening in 2009, reading many known and unknown events of last year just increases a sense of derangement and dread. Even though the suicide attacks last year were less in number (67) than in 2007 (71), they were more deadly. Compared to 927 lives lost in 2007, 973 people lost their lives to violent attacks in 2008.
Interestingly, NWFP, FATA, Islamabad and Punjab were the most hit areas with only one suicide attack in Balochistan and none in Sindh. However, violence rampant in Karachi did its part in increasing the number of deaths in the city than those killed by suicide bombs in the entire country. Citing Karachi Citizen Police Liaison Committee (CPLC), the HRCP's report places the number of victims of all forms of violence in Karachi at 777 compared to 344 violence-related deaths in 2007.
The astounding increase is further highlighted by the fact that out of those 344 deaths in 2007, 155 were killed during one big attack on Benazir Bhutto's motorcade in October. Thus incidences of violence increased manifold in 2008, a testimony to the government's failure to provide safety to the citizens.
Whereas parallel justice system and vigilante action have further exacerbated the law and order situation in the country, they also highlight the absence of a swift and fair justice system and effective law enforcing institutions. Thus the jirgas in various parts of the country continued to challenge the writ of state in 2008. However, public frustration in face of neck-breaking economic and religio-social pressures and rising apathy to brutality was abundantly visible in the vigilante actions of burning alleged robbers and dacoits in three different areas of Karachi and Lahore.
The country's prison system does not help public anger and numbness to extreme violence. The prison system, according to the report, houses an "overwhelming majority" of "under trial prisoners" burdening already crowded prisons. Karachi's Central Prison has 5,800 prisoners against its capacity of 1,600. The poor conditions have led to various jail riots and protests. Instead of serving as correctional institutions, the prisons are hardening the convicts and non-convicts alike.
The section on fundamental rights of movement, thought, religion, expression, assembly and association presents a familiar picture -- one that has become a reality of life in Pakistan. Examples of extremist bent of mind are presented in the report on the rights and safety of minorities. The report details an incidence where a mufti claimed it was permissible in Islam to murder Ahmedies on a programme aired on one of the largest television channels in the country. In the days that followed, three Ahmedies were killed in Sindh. Unfortunately nothing was done as the government took no notice of the killings and the television channel and the anchor were not called for explanation.
Other minorities also continued to suffer in 2008 under the controversial Blasphemy Law. Jagdeesh Kumar, a Hindu factory worker in Karachi, was killed outside his workplace because he was accused of blasphemy. The killers included many of his coworkers.
Out of 15 cases registered against Muslims under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code, 13 cases were in Punjab. Similarly, out of 16 cases registered against Ahmedies, 12 were in Punjab, and all 6 new cases registered against Christians were in Punjab as well. Such figures hint at the ease with which such laws are being abused in Punjab for personal gains rather than pointing towards the more sacrilegious nature of Punjabis. The federal cabinet's approval, however, of the Sikh Marriage Ordinance, 2008, is a welcomed initiative for the minorities. This ordinance allows marriages solemnised under Sikh personal law to be registered in Pakistan.
It is unfortunate that women and children are still a disadvantaged section of the society. HRCP's report reflects that women's bodies continue to be the bearer of family honour. This concept leads to gruesome violence against them in order to bring shame either to them or their family. Such violence includes rape (350 cases reported in 2008), gang rape (445), stripping (13), honour killing (612), acid attacks (37) and amputation (4). The report also quotes Acid Survivor Foundation, Pakistan (ASF) which reported 54 acid burn victims in the first four months of 2008. Another horrifying new tradition of "eliminating fallen women" has surfaced in those areas which have seen increased Talibanisation. Thus, HRCP's findings show that on average, 3 women were killed in Pakistan for various reasons in 2008.
One positive initiative regarding women, however, has been the submission of Protection from Harassment Bill, 2008 and Domestic Violence Bill to the National Assembly for deliberations. It is hoped that these bills will not only be passed, but stricter enforcement will be ensured to bring relief to women.
HRCP's findings reveal that children have not fared better in the past year. The report quotes the latest UNESCO figures that confirm Pakistan's net enrolment ratio is 73 percent for boys and 57 percent for girls. The gender gap has widened from 19 percent in 1972 to 25 percent. According to the statistic by the UN, the dropout rate in Pakistan is 50 percent higher than in other countries of the world. In addition to lower resources to education and health, girls' school bombings in Swat have prevented 17,200 girls from going to schools. UNESCO's report termed Pakistan's education system a failure with the sector riddled with weak governance and high inequality in finance and basic education. In addition, reports of child recruitment by armed militias increase the urgent need for educational and economic reforms in the country.
HRCP's report reflects the descending turmoil in Pakistan. What is more unnerving is that, with just four months into the new year, this document already reads a precursor to more alarming events of 2009.
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