Arrest of rapists demanded
ISLAMABAD, March 1, 2005: The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of the civil society organizations on Monday staged a protest demonstration outside the Parliament House demanding arrest of the culprits in the Sui rape case.
The representatives of various civil society organizations raised slogans against the government and Balochistan administration for their failure to arrest the culprits involved in this heinous crime.
The participants of the rally also handed over a memorandum to the elected representatives belonging to treasury and opposition benches, who came outside the Parliament House to express their solidarity with the protesters.
Through the memorandum, the civil society organizations expressed “grave concern and disgust over the delay in arresting and awarding punishment to the culprit(s), who raped the lady doctor in Sui, Balochistan.”
“We note with great anger, distress and agony that no action has been taken so far against the Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) administration” for trying to cover up the incident by destroying evidence and threatening the victim of dire consequences, if she would register the case with the police, the memorandum says.
Similarly, it says, no action has been taken against those members of jirga, who have declared her a ‘Kari’. “We feel if the government is not able to provide protection, security and justice to its citizen, it has no legitimacy and right to govern.
The representatives of the civil society organizations also condemned the statement of Gen Pervez Musharraf, who had ruled out the possibility of the involvement of an army captain in this case. “His statement is irresponsible and can obstruct the process of justice,” says the memorandum.
They demanded that the government of Balochistan should immediately resign over its failure to provide protection to Dr Shazia and in bringing the culprit(s) to justice. They further demanded that the rape victim should be provided security and full support to rebuild her life.
Source: Dawn
Date:3/1/2005
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