World Press Freedom Day: Demand Justice for All Journalists Murdered in Sindh Province Sindh Human Rights Defenders Network

STATEMENT

World Press Freedom Day: Demand Justice for All Journalists Murdered in Sindh Province

Sindh Human Rights Defenders Network

Sindh Human Rights Defenders Network (SHRDN) highlights the importance of the World Press Freedom Day with demand of Justice for all slain journalists and human rights defenders who lost their lives for the cause of human rights. Sabeen Mehmood, Nazim Jokhio, Roshan Rajpar, Farhat Parveen, Jan Mohummad Mahar and other activists whose cases are pending in different courts for justice.

On world Press Day, we all human rights defenders recognize the vital role of journalists, media workers who provide information on human rights issues, and publish relay on media issues which we human rights defenders of Pakistan share with them from remote, excluded areas.

Sindh Human Rights Defenders Network (SHRDN) pays special tribute to journalists all over the world who report on and investigate human rights issues at great risk to their safety or their lives.  Pakistan was already in the list of four worst countries for the journalists but in 2023 more than 45 cases of deaths of journalists were reported in Pakistan in last four years, and in Sindh the number was 11.  Murder of renowned Journalist Jan Mohummad Mahar from Sukkur is on the top of the list.

From 2002 to 2021, more than 21 journalists were killed in the Sindh province only where from Daniel Pearl to Jan Mohummad Mahar cases of the majority of the journalists were even not being followed by their families due to different challenges, hardships and threats. Sindh Human Rights Defenders Network (SHRDN) following the cases of all those journalists and have found that in some cases, witnesses are being pressurized to withdraw from their statements.

No doubt, after 18th Amendment in 2010. Sindh Government is much ahead than other provinces in passing laws on important human rights issues but their implementation is the biggest challenge. Sindh Assembly has passed law on the protection of journalists and as per section 8 of the Sindh Protection of Journalists and other Media Practitioners Act 2021 a commission was also formed. 14 members CJMP was headed by Justice R Rasheed Rizvi, who had passed away now and the commission is not active.

Sindh Human Rights Defenders Network (SHRDN) has sent a list of journalists who were murdered in different cities of the province while performing their duties to the commission, the Chief Minister and the Minister for Information for action but not response was received from the concerned quarters.

New changes in cyber law, further empowers the FIA and Cyber Crime Authorities which further pose threat to freedom of expression, journalists and human rights defenders in the country.

SHRDN praise the theme of this years’ World Press Freedom Day is “A press for the Planet: Journalism in the face of the Environmental Crises”. We agree that the current issues, we, our society, communities face are related with climate change. The duty of journalists and human rights defenders is to share exact authentic, unbiased and factual information on the issues and advocate for its solutions. It is also our duty that not only raise issues but ensure the voice of the people who are most affected by the climate crises. Indigenous people, ethnic and religious minorities and the main victims.

Currently, the right to information, freedom of expression, right to assembly and other related rights guaranteed by the Constitution of Pakistan are under serious threat in Pakistan. Application of Anti -Terrorism Act, Cyber Act and other laws against common citizens, journalists’ activities across Sindh province shows that the freedom of expression is under serious threat in Pakistan. 

Journalists, reporting on environment, bonded labour, killing of women in the name of honor, land rights are facing serious threats their safety from Karachi to Kashmor.

Sindh Human Rights Defenders Network on the day World Freedom Day demands amendment in Cyber Law and withdrawal of sections threatens journalists, hinder information flow in the country.

All states in Asia and South Asia should take special measures which restore press freedom. All governments in the region aiming to tighten their hold over news and information with increasing vigour should restrain themselves and respect right to freedom of expression and press freedom.

All state must repeal all draconian laws intentionally passed to suppress freedom of expression and hinder the right to information.

We urge all state including Pakistan and Sindh government to protect journalists, Human rights defenders working on human rights particularly environmental issues and climate crises.

All state and the Government including Pakistan government urged to establish mechanism for the protection of human rights defenders and journalists.

Last but not least, repeat the demand for justice for all journalists murdered in Sindh and Pakistan and provision of legalaid to their families for getting justice.

Sindh Human Rights Defenders Network (SHRDN)

Karachi, May 3, 2024

FACT FINDING REPORTOnReena Menghwar case

Reena menghwar case is a case of forced conversion or a case of a free will marriage
is focus/objective of this fact finding. This case is being discussed in whole Sindh
Province, Pakistan and outside as a case of forced conversion of a hindu girl.
This case also came in discussion in Sindh Human Rights Defenders Network group
with apprehension that this case may cause conflict between menghwar and
khaskhaly communities who are neighbors in Kario Ganhwar district Badin and may
lead to a violent conflict between both Khaskhaly (Qasims family) and Menghwar
community (Reenas’ family). It was also realised that this case has poetentia to cause
violent conflcit between hindu muslim. In order to answer this issue that whether it
is a case of forced conversion or free will marriage a fact finding team of RightsNow
Pakistan was sent to Kario Ganhwar to meet Reena, her family, accused Qasim and
his brothers, police and civil society of Badin.
2
Fact finding committee consisting of following legal officers of RightsNow Pakistan
team

1. Mehmood Ali Lashari advocate Member
2. Ms Naheed Akhter Qaim Khani advocate Chairperson
3. Muhammad Maaz Mahar (Paralegal) Member
   (Paralegal)
   The fact finding team visited Kadyo Ghawar District Badin on 28-07-2021 and met
   with Reena’s father of Reena and her uncle namely Hameero. They shared that they
   are resident of Khaskheli Muhala before the partition. Khaskhaly Muhala where
   accused Qasim and his family is living. So Qasim and Reena are neighbors

1628059775623_reena_report-convertedDownload

Mr. M Parkash, a lawyer, civil society activist, progressive farmer has passed away; A limb has fallen from activists’ tree.

Mr Parkash was a humble, kind, friendly and caring person. His struggle for human rights promotion and protection is exemplary. His focus was on rights of citizens of different faith but he was part of every movement, struggle of our society. He was active member of Sindh Human Rights Defenders Network (SHRDN) and part of legal fraternity. We hear him saying, “Count on you all friends of civil society, continue my mission of human rights” We consider his demise a big loss of civil society and irreparable loss to our network. We share the sad moment of Mr Parkash’s family, stand with them and pray for the departed soul.

OPPORTUNITY FOR DEFENDERS

Apply for the Mariam Al-Shafei Fellowship 2024

SMEX welcomes applications for the Mariam Al-Shafei Fellowship on Technology and Human Rights for the year 2024. This fellowship commemorates the legacy of our beloved colleague Mariam Al-Shafei and brings together digital rights advocates from West Asia and North Africa to collaborate, research, innovate, and address issues and challenges at the intersection of technology and human rights in our region.

Independence of Judiciary is Essence of Rule of Law, Human Rights

Sindh Human Rights Defenders Network (SHRDN) expresses serious concerns on the issue of harassment of six high court judges of the Islamabad High Court. This is dangerous trend for the independence of judiciary, rule of law and protection of human rights in Pakistan.

SHRDN emphasize the role of Bar Associations, Judiciary, civil society on the strict compliance of basic principles of independence of judiciary in Pakistan. The Judiciary should decide matters before them impartially, on the basis of facts, in accordance with the law without any restrictions, inducement, pressures, threats interferences. Basic responsibility is of the state and its institution which are duty bound to respect and observe the independence of judiciary as it is enshrined in the Constitution and the law of the country.  However, it is also the duty of the judiciary that it should ensure that judicial proceedings are conducted fairly and that the rights of all parties involved should be respected and protected.

In Pakistan, this is not the first time that the judiciary is facing these challenges. Since the independence, Pakistani judiciary seen such interference (political, intelligence agencies etc) which affects its decisions, tarnish its image and ultimately leaves adverse impact on culture of human rights in Pakistan. Faizabad Dharna case, Asghar Khan case and other decisions of the higher courts shows these decisions are not being implemented.

Using this as an opportunity, SHRDN would like to highlight the gaps in recruitment process of the judges, their promotions, security and the term of office, adequate remuneration, conditions for service, pensions and the age of retirement. No doubt Judges should have guaranteed tenure until a mandatory retirement age but they should also not be allowed to take up jobs after retirement. This kind of trend has always been harmful for the independence of judiciary because those judges who think of their post-retirement roles and jobs cannot make independent decisions. 

Formation of Inquiry Committees is very old trend in Pakistan which is not trusted by the people. Secondly, thought of appointment of a retire judge who will inquire into the issue of harassment of six judges of Islamabad High Court.

SHRDN feel very concerned about this issue and demand immediate inquiry into the matter by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. A recommendation by SHRDN which may not be liked by the Pakistan’s political actors or society is that the International Commission for Jurist, a Geneva based INGO which promotes human rights and rule of Law . This inquiry should not be limited to the incident of six judges of the Islamabad high court but should look such issues, matters of the judges in the past. The case of Former IHC Justice, Justice R Shoukat Aziz should also be included into the terms of references of this inquiry.

No society can make progress without rule of law, and rule of law is not possible without independence of judiciary.

Sindh Human Rights Defenders Network recommend that the Bar Associations of Pakistan should stand in support for the judges facing such challenges, rule of law, democracy, supremacy of parliament and protection of human rights and human rights defenders.  

Sindh Human Rights Defenders Network (SHRDN)

Karachi Bar and Human Rights Defenders Stand with WHRDs Sorath and Sasui Lohar

Sindh Human Rights Defenders Network (SHRDN) emphasized the role of the Bar Association in helping citizens and human rights defenders’ access to justice. Human Rights Defenders in all walks of life must join hands to stand against injustice, impunity and protection of human rights. Advocate Ali Palh, Coordinator Sindh Human Rights Defenders Network shared his views in the Committee Room of the Karachi Bar Association (KBA) in meeting of human rights defenders with Karachi Bar Association leadership.

Sasui Lohar, Suhni Joyo, Sarang Joyo, Ali Palh and Adv kaleem Mirani were part of the delegation.

The purpose of the meeting of Bar leadership with defender was to join get support from Karachi Bar Association and other Bars for women human rights defenders (WHRD) Sasui and Sorath Lohar whose father Hidayat Lohar an activist and a teacher was murdered in a target killing by unknown persons at Naseerabad, Larkana. Sasui and Sorath Lohar, both are women activists lead voice of missing persons staged protest because their FIR was not being registered as per their version of the incident. 

Mr Aamir Waraich, President Karachi Bar Association (KBA) in meeting with human rights defenders Sasui Joyo (Voice of Missing Person), Jahanzeb Mari (Joint Secretary), Ayaz Solangi (Member Management Committee) welcomed the defenders and assured them to stand with the human rights defenders for the justice.

Human Rights Defenders were of the view that all bar associations of the country should stand with civil society for safety and security of human rights defenders, rule of law, and protection of human rights.

President Bar Association presented Ajrkas to defenders as a respect and assure for future collaboration in protection of human rights and human rights defenders.

Mr. Ghulam Rasool Soho, Member Sindh Bar Council (SBC), higher body of lawyers,  Former Member Sindh Bar Council were also present in the meeting and shared the same view regarding the collaboration of Bars and human rights defenders.

Statement

Pakistani Police should respect the law and should not obey illegal orders of their leadership. Sindh Human Rights Defenders Network (SHRDN) express its serious concern over targeting the peaceful protest held by human rights activists Ms Sasui and Sorath Lohar whose father Hidayat Lohar was murdered in Larkana a few weeks ago.

Protest was held by the daughters of murdered teacher and also activists Hidayat Lohar against the attitude of the Larkana police who refuse to lodge FIR as per verbatim. According to them, FIR was not being lodged by the police against the nominated person whose NIC card was found at the place of the murder site.

Pakistani law says that under section 154 CrPC, FIR of the cognizable offence will be lodged by the police be lodged by the police but practically police is reluctant to lodge FIRs without the orders of their high ups. In these situations, people have to hold demonstrations or go to the court to get their FIRs registered under section 22 A & B CrPC. In case of protests, generally, police use force to disperse the protesters and also lodge FIRs against them. Currently, Anti Terrorism Laws are also being applied on political workers and protestors, activists who hold such protests against the state or police.

This is violation of fundamental human rights and against the national and international law and norms. On March 17, 2024, activists Sorath Sasui, Fozia Sarang, Suhni Joyo, Sarang Joyo, Taj Joyo and adv Muhib held protest at Larkana and they were severely beaten and tortured. Police arrested Sasui and Sorath Lohar along with other supporters and kept at Sachal police Station. Later when civil society of Sindh and human rights defenders reacted then they released women activists but did not release male protestors and booked them into an ATA case. Renowned author and activist Taj Joyo was also beaten and baton charged by the Larkana Police whose marks on his back were conspicuous and covered by the media.

Sindh Human Rights Defenders Network (SHRDN) condemn this kind of anti human rights behaviour of Larkana police and demand a judicial inquiry into the incident in which force was used against peaceful protestors and human rights defenders.

Sindh Human Rights Defenders Network also express its serious concern over the lack of compliance and implementation of Police Act which hold police accountable in the province. Sindh Safety Commission an over sight provincial body is not being formed. Law also says district police oversight bodies will also be formed but seems the present government does not want to implement that law and intends to let the police function without legal oversight.

Sindh Human Rights Network demands action against those police officers who used force against the peaceful protestors, release of political workers detained in that case and also cancel that case against the human rights defenders who did peaceful protest for their human rights.

Sindh Human Rights Defenders Network

Contact: 0300-3042312

Training Workshop on Enforced Disappearances – Standards, Mechanism and Remedies

Sindh Human Rights Defenders Network (SHRDN) organized a closed workshop for the HRDs working actively on the prevention, reporting, and litigation on the Enforced Disappearances. The workshop was conducted by different resource person including Barrister Ali Tahir, NaghmaIqtidar, Suheni Joyo led by Ali Palh coordinator Sindh Human Rights Defenders Network (SHRDN). The workshop was concluded with remarks from the renowned human rights defenders AnisHaroon, Member National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), activists and former parliamentarian Mangla Sharma, women rights defender, member SHRDN Saima Agha who is serving as commissioner information commission. 

ed-training-workshopDownload

STATEMENT* August 14, 2023

Sindh_Human_Rights_Defenders_Network (SHRDN) condemn the brutal target killing of renowned journalist Jan Mohummad Mahar who was not only journalist but an activist, Phil thropist, whose reporting on human rights, crime and political affairs made him main target of the mafia.

Jan Mohummad Mahar was attacked in the heart of the Sukkur city nearby locus park, Queen road where close by is Anti Terrorism Court Sukkur where mostly rangers is deployed for the protection of the court. His house is also near that place.

He was attacked by armed people who were standing on different spots as reported from Sukkur. They fires at his vehicle, later they fired at injured in eyes and mouth to ensure he dies.

From the incident it seems he was target and the culprits were not scared of any police ranger presence.

He was taken to Sukkur Blood bank first, later to Hira Medical Center where he succumbed to his injuries.

He was not taken to Civil Hospital Sukkur because people knew the fact that civil hospital is not the right place to save lives because it lacks doctors and medicines.

Jan Mohummad Mahar was a focal point for all human rights activists for information on human rights cases and issues.

He joined media in 1995 and currently he was working with KTN news.

Not only journalists, media but human rights activists, civil society, lawyers and all citizens of Sindh mourns his murder and demand for justice.

Pakistan is already listed in those countries which are not good for journalists. Since 2002, more than 21 journalists have been killed in Sindh province whose cases have not been properly investigated, prosecuted. A provincial commission has been formed on protection of journalists but it has not taken any such steps in previous cases of journalists or provide protection to journalist in difficult areas where they are risking their lives and reporting.

Jan Mohummad Mahar Mahar has two daughters (four and sis years) daughters and a widow.

Sindh Human Rights Defenders Network demand a swift action against culprits involved in the killing of Jan Mohummad Mahar and justice to his family.

Sindh Committee on Protection of Journalists and media Persons must take stas and measures to prevent such incidents and proactively work for the protection of Journalists.

Ali Palh advocate
Sindh Human Rights Defenders Network (SHRDN)

Cutting of Karoonjhar is an act of ecocideSindh Human Rights Defenders Network

Sindh Human Rights Defenders is deeply concern over the government’s planning to extract the granite from the historical mountains of Karoonjar.

Karoojnar mountains have a significant history and cultural attachment to the locals of Tharparkar. On July 22 and 23, the Sindh Mines and Mineral Development Department (MMDD) published the tender advertisement for auction of mining lease of granite in Nanagarparkar. However, the Sindh government on Monday, 24 July surrendered before the public backlash against the plan to auction granite mining lease in the Karoonjhar Mountains of Tharparkar district.

Human rights defenders, civil society, media, Bar Association have opposed this move.

Cutting of Karoonjhar mountain will hurt the feelings of indigenous people as theor belief and sentiments are attached with the site.

It is also a environmental issue, conservation site and animal habitat.

Sindh Human Rights Defenders Network Sindh Human Rights Defenders Network declares cutting of Karoonjhar an act ecocide and demands immediate withdrawal of auction notice, declaring it a protected site.

Endorsements:

Ali Palh (SHRDN)
Shahnaz Ahad
Anita Pinjani, Sindhu Vas Forum
Mir Zulfiqar Ali
Zahid Farooq
Sheraz Ahmed
Anis Haroon
Nargis Rahman
Samar Abbas (SHRDN)
Malik Tahir Iqbal
Sheema Kirmani
Muhammad Usman
Uzma Noorani
Safina Javed
Farhat Perveen
Nasir Mansoor
Zohra Yousuf
Malka
Pervaiz Jamro
Darkasahan Sualeh
Seemi Malik, Chairperson Welfare Web
Ali Akbar Rahimoo( Aware)
Adv Umar Gul (HRD)

Naseem Akhter
Member WAF HRCP & Sindh Human R.Defenders