HRCP clarifies its position on human rights issues | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

HRCP clarifies its position on human rights issues

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has clarified the recent comments of the deposed Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudry’s on the laxity of human rights organisations in the country saying that the HRCP has enormous regard for him and therefore wishes to set the record straight.

“Human rights violations in Balochistan have been regularly monitored by the HRCP and several reports have been issued. Those conducting fact-finding missions faced great risks and some were also shot at during the military operations,” the HRCP said in a statement issued on Monday.

The organisation hoped that the deposed chief justice could recall a petition on disappearances filed by the HRCP in the Supreme Court on Feb 2, 2007, which was eventually heard later by the deposed chief justice.

“Muneer Mengal, who is the source of the Zareena Marri story, was on the list of missing people. The government disclosed in August 2007 that he had been sent to ATF jail in Quetta after being detained at the Central Jail Khuzdar. The HRCP regrets that Muneer Mengal was not produced in court and his statement were recorded despite a request made by the HRCP. This could have given valuable leads to other human rights violations that came to his knowledge during detention,” the statement said.

HRCP appreciates the deposed chief justice’s concern about human rights issues in the country. However, the role of the HRCP goes beyond March 8, 2008 and despite some lapses it has played an important role since 1986 in investigating human rights violations and promoting democratic values,” the HRCP statement added.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Co-chairman Iqbal Haider strongly condemned the endless outrageous and barbaric terrorist attacks by extremist religious groups against educational institutions in the valley of Swat.

Source: The News

Date:1/20/2009