A Humanist Association of Hong Kong PRESS RELEASE |
| Blog | Posted By: hindtodaynews on:7/29/2012 9:17:56 PM |
To: Mr. Iftikhar Muhammad Chudhary
Chief Justice of
Pakistan
Supreme Court of Pakistan
Islamabad, Pakistan
Ref: Blasphemy accusation filed against staff members of Insan
Dost Association.
Dear Sir,
Please allow us to bring the following matter to you and your
office’s attention:
A blasphemy accusation was filed against staff members of
Insan Dost Association, namely Mr Anjum Raza Mattu, Mr Imran Anjum, Ms Shazia
Parveen, and Ms Najma Khalil, on 8 June 2012.
Insan Dost Association (IDA) is a human rights organisation
based in Punjab Province which works for the promotion and protection of the
rights of bonded labourers and their families. It advocates for increased kiln
workers' wages, the enrolment of child kiln workers in schools, and the
elimination of advanced debt bondage. On 30 June 2012, IDA staff were invited to
participate in the investigation and were summoned to be present at the next
meeting, which was held on 9 July 2012.
The blasphemy accusation has been filed against the
above mentioned IDA staff members by kiln owner Mr Javed Iqbal on behalf of
another kiln owner, Mr Iftikhar Mohar. The complaint was submitted to the
Commissioner of Sahiwal Division in Punjab Province, Mr Qazi Ashfaq Ahmed, who
has the power to order the police to register a First Information Report (FIR)
against the alleged accused. IDA staff members could be sentenced to life
imprisonment or death if they are found guilty of blasphemy. IDA has been active
in recent years in working to protect the rights of brick kiln workers and has
had disagreements with kiln owner Iftikhar Mohar.
It is reported that Javed Iqbal has also accused IDA of being
involved in anti-government activities and called for the registration
certificate of IDA to be revoked.
Human rights defenders associated with IDA have been
physically abused by kiln owner Iftikhar Mohar and his henchmen in the recent
past.
On 19 November 2011, Mr Muhammad Munir, a member of IDA, was
attacked by a few men with sticks and bamboos after he led around 200 workers to
call on kiln owners to implement the Punjab Wage Board, a notification which
fixed the minimum pay for a kiln worker making 1,000 bricks to 517 Pakistan
Rupee (€4.4). The attackers were believed to be associated with kiln owners Mr
Haji Iqbal, Mr Khalid Chaudhry, and Mr Iftikhar Mohar.
On 7 January 2012, a fabricated rape case was filed against
Muhammad Munir and his wife, and on 2 February 2012, he was arrested by the
police before being transferred to Sahiwal District Central Jail on 7 February
2012.
On 16 May 2012, Muhammad Munir's wife and four IDA staff were
beaten up at Arifwala tehsil court premises by Iftikhar Mohar and his lawyers
while Muhammad Munir was defending himself against the false accusation before
the court. On the same date, a complaint for attempted murder (FIR 298/12) was
registered against human rights defenders Mr Anjum Raza Mattu, Mr Imran Anjum,
Ms Khadija Munir, Mr Zeeshan Ali, Mr Rafij Masih, and Ms Bashiran
Bibi.
On 31 May 2012, Imran Anjum was convicted under this charge
and was sent to Sahiwal District Central Jail. He was released on bail on 27
June 2012.
The Humanist Association of Hong Kong sees these incidents as
part of a pattern of ongoing harassment against IDA staff, and believes they are
targeted for their work in the defence of human rights, in particular the rights
of kiln workers in Punjab Province, simply on money affairs - in this case the
kiln owners not wanting to give workers fair due for work done.
We realise these are very serious accusations and our stand on
the matter of blasphemy is that the associated laws are too readily misused. The
last blasphemy case ever to see light-of-day in England took place in 1977. (Gay
News was successfully prosecuted in the Whitehouse v. Lemon case, along with the
editor, Denis Lemon, for blasphemy by Mary Whitehouse, then Secretary of the
National Viewers' and Listeners' Association.)
The most recent milestone in the present investigation held by
Executive District Officer (EDO) Mr. Saqib Ali Ateel was in his office but the
applicant failed to present witnesses against IDA. The investigation officer
decided to give the next and last investigation date as 27th August,
2012.
Kindly give attention to what is taking place in this case to
cause the applicant to give serious thought to the consequences of what he is
initiating, not only for the defendants, but for the applicant.
Appealing for your care and attention.
Best regards
Tony Henderson
Chairman, Humanist Association of Hong
Kong.
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