Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders Annual Report 2002 - Pakistan
| Publisher | International Federation for Human Rights |
| Publication Date | 26 March 2003 |
| Cite as | International Federation for Human Rights, Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders Annual Report 2002 - Pakistan, 26 March 2003, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/48747c5f29.html [accessed 7 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Christian workers murdered33
On 25th September 2002, seven members of the Committee for Justice and Peace (Idara E-Aman-O-Insaf) were murdered by unidentified, armed men who broke into the head office of Idara. Idara is a non-profit, Christian charity working with destitute people and supporting workers' rights in the textile industry and the public sector. The assault happened in a climate of growing violence and human rights violations against the Christian community, since 11 September 2001 attacks.
Human rights organisations have criticised the government for its failure to protect religious minorities such as Christians, Hindus, Ahmadis and Shiite Muslims. They have protested against the statements made by a federal minister, Mr. Khalid Ranjha who claimed that NGOs act against national interests and make the country vulnerable to many dangers.
The police is now investigating possible links with the murder in June of the former president of the association, Mr. Ivan Moon, who was poisoned and found dead in his office. They are also looking into links with the recent attacks against Western and Christian targets, perpetrated by defenders opposed to the American intervention in Afghanistan.
On 7th October 2002, Mr. Robin Peera Dittan was arrested and put in preventive detention: he was held suspect because he had survived the attack on Idara and was the sole witness. He was released on 22nd October after a court decision. While leaving the court with his lawyers and Idara members he was attacked by policemen and forced into a vehicle. He was later released. After the incident, Mr. Peera Dittan's lawyers and the Secretary General of the bar of Karachi held a press conference where they condemned the assault.
[Refworld note: This report as posted on the FIDH website (www.fidh.org) was in pdf format with country chapters run together by region. Footnote numbers have been retained here, so do not necessarily begin at 1.]
33. See Urgent Appeal PAK 001/0902/OBS 058.
