BLOACHISTAN: Pakistani authorities recovered at least 50 bodies and dozens of unconscious people from a shipping container in Balochistan on Saturday. According to police sources, the container which was parked in Hazar Ganji area of Quetta, the driver of the container truck fled from the spot which was carrying 110 people, apparently illegal immigrants being transported from Afghanistan to Iran via Pakistan.

Senior police official Wazir Khan Nasir said that 50 bodies and 60 people were recovered from the container. It was reported that the deaths apparently occurred because of suffocation. The dead and the unconscious victims were transferred to the Bolan Medical Complex hospital in Quetta.

The death tolls might rise as many of the unconscious victims were in critical condition, therefore, an emergency was declared in major hospitals in Quetta to cope with the situation, officials said. It is stated that most of the victims were hailed from Afghanistan and the area was cordon off and search operation was being carried out for detaining the driver.-SANA

On 12 March 2009 there was a demonstration outside the UN Human Rights Council which was attended by people of Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit and Baltistan, Sind, Balochistan, Frontier Province NWFP (name prescribed for NWFP Pakhtoon Khawa) and Punjab. The demonstration was organised by Sardar Shaukat Kashmiri and was a big demonstration according to standards of Geneva.

Among those who spoke on this occasion included Senator Sana Ullah Baloch, Munawar Laghari, Col Wajhat Mirza, Nader Mirza, Shaukat Kashmiri, Mumtaz Khan, Nasir Aziz, Abbas Butt, Dr Shabir Choudhry etc.

A summary of Dr Shabir Choudhry’s speech is as follows:

‘Fiends and colleagues, right to assemble and right of expression is a fundamental human right. How unfortunate that in Islamic Republic of Pakistan these rights are curbed by the authorities which claim to be democratic and which claim to respect rule of law’.

‘We are fortunate that we live in Europe where these rights are respected and we can freely assemble to express our views. And today we are here outside the UN Human Rights Commission to show our solidarity with the people of Pakistan who have campaigned for restoration of independent judiciary, accountability and rule of law’.

‘We want to tell people of Pakistan that we stand with them in this hour of need. We support you fully in your struggle for rule of law and fundamental rights. Our sympathies and prayers are with you. You deserve to have an independent judiciary, you deserve to live with dignity and honour, you deserve to have democracy and rule of law; and your struggle will be successful’.

‘But you cannot expect to have democracy who are allies of undemocratic regimes, and those who are product of secret deals with dictators. You cannot expect to have rule of law and accountability from those who are product of corruption and who have a track record of intimidating and undermining the judicial system.’

‘You cannot expect peace and stability from those who have policy of promoting communalism, extremism and hatred. Their policy is to divide and rule. They want to promote extremism in name of jihad which is tearing the Pakistani society apart. On one hand they are part of the war on terrorism and on the other hand they are secretly supporting those who are promoting terrorism’.

‘We want to show our solidarity with all oppressed people of Pakistan, whether they are in Balochistan, Sind, Frontier Province, Punjab or FATA. We also want to speak in support of people of Gilgit and Baltistan and Pakistani Administered Kashmir, where people are also denied of their fundamental human rights’.

‘Pakistan has been ruled by elite who have been advancing policy of communalism, extremism and hatred. This policy of unwise elite has created many problems for us Kashmiris and we continue to suffer due to that policy. This policy not only created many problems for Pakistan’s neighbours but also landed Pakistan in very serious problems which threaten very existence of Pakistan’.

‘Those who expect that the ruling elite of Pakistan could bring peace, stability and prosperity to Pakistan and could help in fight against extremism and hatred are totally wrong, because in view of many experts the ruling elite is part of the problem and not part of solution. They want to perpetuate their rule at all costs. Peace, stability and prosperity in the country are not their priorities. Elimination of extremism and terrorism is not their goal, because they are using these as tools to advance their political and personal agenda’.

‘Their deals and agreements with extremists in Swat and FATA are not based on sincerity. This is to provide these extremists that they can regroup and reorganise themselves to assert their influence and power in other parts of the country. It is believed that in near future these extremist groups will be playing an important role in FATA and Afghanistan’. END

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that the resolution of Kashmir dispute is the realization of the right of self-determination of the people Jammu and Kashmir which is enshrined in the UN Charter. Addressing the Kashmir Solidarity Day Convention in Islamabad on Thursday, he said this right was promised to the Kashmiris by the international community more than six decades ago, but regrettably these fundamental rights continues to be denied to them.

He said the norms of justice, international law and the UN Security Council resolutions were violated while blatant human rights violations by the Indian security forces continue unabated.

Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani said that generations of Kashmiris have rendered countless sacrifices for this just cause which remains unrealized. Over ninety two thousand Kashmiris have lot their lives. Countless others have suffered all kinds of atrocities. He said there is no let up in the oppressive military presence and torture, extra judicial killings, disagreement of women, arbitrary detentions and fake encounters remain the order of the day.

Prime Minister said the indigenous uprising in Kashmir fueled by the Amarnath Shrine land issue last year has added another sad chapter to the sufferings of the Kashmiris. He said in hour of trial, suffering and struggle of the Kashmiris, the people and the government of Pakistan stood firmly with their Kashmiri brethren. He said the leadership of Pakistan, have condemned the brutal use of force by the Indians, and demanded them to respect the human rights of the people of Kashmir.

He said before the Mumbai incident, Pakistan was constructively engaged with India under the Composite Dialogue process. The Kashmir issue was a critical component of that dialogue. He said Pakistan has stressed the need for engagement and resumption of the Composite Dialogue.

He said we have impressed upon India and the rest of the world that focus of the efforts of the two countries should remain on countering terrorism which is the real issue. Prime Minister said Pakistan has been affected by terrorism and is therefore determined to deal with it unilaterally, bilaterally, regionally and globally.

He said we have further stressed that counter-terrorism requires pragmatic cooperation rather than resorting to hostile propaganda or threat of use of force. He said Pakistan hope that the peace process would resume soon and become result oriented in addressing all outstanding issues including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

He said the world powers have, once again, reiterated their concern on the centrality of this festering dispute to the peace efforts and called for its early resolution. He said we fully support, and indeed encourage, international efforts to this end.

The Prime Minister said the observance of 5th February as Solidarity Day is a singular reaffirmation of our commitment of solidarity with the people of Kashmir and we would continue to observe this day till such time that the heroic struggle of Kashmiris to achieve their right to self-determination reaches its logical conclusion.

He assured Kashmiris that Pakistan will continue to support the cause of Kashmir through peaceful political means. Concluding he prayed and hoped that the future generations of Kashmiris will be spared from the anguish of brutality and of foreign occupation

In his speech, President of Azad Kashmir Raja Zulqarnain Khan said Kashmiris don’t want war between Pakistan and India but peace can only be established through resolution of the Kashmir dispute. He said the two countries arrived at an understanding for various confidence building measures but the fact remains that solution of Kashmir conflict would be the biggest confidence building measure.

He expressed gratitude of Pakistan for its consistent support to the cause of Kashmiri people and providing valuable support during hours of trial like earthquake of 2005. Speaking on the occasion the Federal Minister on Kashmir Affairs Qamaruz Zaman Kaira said that the people and the government of Pakistan would continue its moral and diplomatic support to the Kashmir cause to its logical conclusion.

He said the settlement of the Kashmir Issue is imperative for the durable peace in South Asia. He said due to the tragic incident of Mumbai the Indian government got an excuse to suspend the composite dialogue. He said we are committed to initiate the peace process with India.

The Chairman of Kashmir Committee of the Parliament Mualana Fazalur Rehman said that we are not observing solidarity with our Kashmiri brethren in certain dates and month but they are an integral part of our body and life. This solidarity could not be reduced or weaken by any force.

He said the Kashmiri people have begun which struggle for seeking the right to self-determination Pakistani people is with them as the whole international community is agreed to give them their birth right.

Mualana Fazalur Rehman said members of the Kashmir Committee would visit Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Niger next month and would also lobby for the Kashmir cause on the occasion of OIC summit in Damascus in May this year. He said the Committee is of the view that lobbying should be done to have contact group on Kashmir in the European Union as well.

Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Council Mohammad Yasin Malik urged the Kashmiris and Pakistanis to sit down and chalk out a single strategy to resolve this issue. He said in the held Kashmir we have a transition from violent act to non violent as demanded by the world community and they are appreciating it.He said the whole civilized world is condemning the Mumbai incident. He said we must adopt a collective policy and should convey one only message by one voice.-SANA

ISLAMABAD: The only durable solution to the longstanding Jammu and Kashmir dispute lies in the implementation of UN resolution and giving Kashmiris their birth right of self-determination, said a declaration issues at the end of the National Kashmir Conference (NKC) held here under the auspices of Jamaat-e-Islami Azad Jammu & Kashmir (JI-AJK) on Tuesday.

The conference also made it clear that if other formulas or means were used to resolve this vexed dispute would harm the struggle of the Kashmiri people for their liberation.

The NKC rejected Indian plan to malign the Kashmir freedom struggle and to label it as terrorism in a bid to cover their inhumane crimes like violations of basic human rights, killings of people, demolition of houses and shops, gang rape of Kashmiri women, and incidents like mass graves and forced disappearance of the peoples. The conference demanded of the United Nations to prevail upon India to immediately stop the violations of basic human rights in Kashmir.

The NKC also stressed for the need of launching an international campaign to expose the Indian hegemonic designs, which New Delhi particularly after crushing the popular uprising in wake of Shrine Board land dispute through state terrorism.

India wanted to accomplish this plan by staging election farce in occupied Kashmir, turning Pakistan into a barren land by construction dams on rivers flowing into Pakistan and isolate Islamabad in the comity of the nations through staging incidents like Mumbai blasts.

The Conference called for convening a special OIC meeting for raising the issue across the world to counter India nefarious designs. The conference called for halting military operation is Swat and FATA in light of the unanimously adopted resolution of the Parliament and for reinforcing the defence of the borders by deploying armed forces on eastern border and along the line of control. The Conference also expressed solidarity with the Palestinian, and condemned the Israeli aggression against the innocent people of Palestine.

The conference was addressed by Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Leader of the House in Senate Mian Raza Rabbani, Chairman Kashmir Committee Mualana Fazal-ur-Rehman, PML-N Leader Raja Zafar-ul-Haq, PML-Q Leader Ijaz-ul-Haq, Senator Prof. Khurshid, Former Senator Akram Zaki, Gen. (Retd.) Hameed Gul, President AJK Raja Zulqurnian Khan, Speaker AJK Assembly Shah Ghulam Qadir, Amir JI-AJK Abdul Rashid Turabi, PPP-AJK President Chaudhry Abdul Majeed, Former President AJK Sardar Anwar Khan, Former Prime Minister AJK Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan and others.-SANA

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that PPP Government is committed to protect and promotion of human rights and to create a society free of human sufferings and deprivations in the country. He was addressing at the concluding ceremony of the ten-day celebrations in Islamabad on Saturday to the conferment of international Award by United Nations upon Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed, for her untiring and dedicated services for the sacred cause of protection of human rights throughout her life.

The Prime Minister said the policy framework of the government on the human rights envisages elimination of injustice and poverty and fundamental freedom to all the citizens. He said the Government wants to promote tolerance and harmony as per the lesson and vision of our great leaders Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Quaid-e-Awam Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Shaheed and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed.

Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani said that we have been taught the sanctity of human rights by our religion Islam since the last more than 1400 years. He said the first and most comprehensive charter of human rights was actually the last sermon of the Holy Prophet Mohammad SAWW on the occasion of Hujjatul Widah.

He said in pursuance of this Sermon and the provision of the Constitution, we stand committed, to the promotion and protection of the human rights, not only for our own people but also for the people every where in the world. He said special emphasis is being given to safeguard the rights of women, children and minorities in the country. The Prime Minister announced “Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Human Rights Fund” with an initial amount of ten million rupees which will be used for the relief of the human rights victims.

He also announced five Civil Awards with the name of Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Human Rights Award will be conferred every year Upton two Human Rights Organizations and three Human Rights Activities. He said the recipients will be announced on 27th December and will be conferred by the President on 14th August each year.

He said the Government has established a full-fledged ministry of Human Rights in the vision of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and manifesto of PPP and decided to set up an Independent National Commission for Human Rights. He said Human Rights Committees are being established at provincial and district levels to curb human rights violation.

Minister for Human Rights Syed Mumtaz Alam Gilani in his address said the Pakistan condemns the human rights violations in Occupied Kashmir and Palestinian territory. He said his ministry would chalk out a plan to ensure implementation of the human rights in the country. Information Minister Sherry Rehman also attended the function.

The Country Director of UNIFEM Alice congratulated the Pakistani nation for the conferment of UN Award on Benazir Bhutto Shaheed and appreciated Pakistan’s efforts towards human rights. Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on this occasion distributed awards and shields to the ten recipients about the human rights. The Prime Minister also inaugurated a poster exhibition portraying human rights.-SANA

SRINAGAR: Mercifully, Jammu and Kashmir is not yet at a stage where the old adage about politics being the last refuge of the scoundrel could be said to hold true across the spectrum. Undoubtedly, we have specimens of venality pervading throughout the body politic, but there also are honorable exceptions that valiantly adhere to a high code, and refuse to be pulled down into the muck of inducements, blandishments and shady deals that have become a sad part of political life here.

But bravely though this small tribe soldiers on, it has not been able to arrest the growing public skepticism and cynicism about what basically motivates a politician to take to the tricky and unpredictable terrain of public life.

Indeed, the stock of politics – and politicians – has fallen so low that the first public reaction to a politician’s statement or stand or deed is: How much is he making out of that?

This is inevitable when the overnight riches of a party boss or an elected representative or a holder of public office violate the very basic notion the common man has about the road to prosperity being a long and arduous one. It does not help matters when the business and professional prospects of “close confidantes” of influential politicians take a sudden leap into the stratosphere when their mentors come to power.

Sleaze in politics is not confined to matters financial; it has permeated into the broader realm of what is generally called character, as evidenced in the involvement of prominent figures in the infamous Srinagar sex scandal. The brazen abuse of office that has been going on at high levels in exploiting Kashmiri womanhood (minor-hood, to be more exact) for jobs and other incentives serves to underline the depths to which public office has fallen in the state.

The revelations about the sex scandal might be new, but the phenomenon is not. At all rungs of the political ladder, and indeed in the administration, individuals seem to have taken a cue from the deviant behavior at the very top (or what was, for a long time, the very top), and taken that as a guarantee of getting away with impunity.

This venal cult has been nourished and nurtured over the decades in a silence born out of widespread complicity, and has developed a cozy, comfortable relationship with all sections of the polity, be it governance or politics.

This has seriously compromised the integrity of decision-making in the state, as, often, it is not the merits of the case that decide the issue but what spicy garnishing one has used to get a public servant into a more amenable frame of mind. True, allegations of this serious nature require ironclad proof, but that is the more tragic part of the entire sordid story.

For the sections that know, not a single figure in the sexual exploitation scandal came as a surprise, but what was a surprise was the subsequent immunity of several others whose proclivities were also said to be widely talked about, and not in hushed tones either.

What more evidence does one need when one side of the case is willing to name more names in what is potentially a damning indictment of the political and administrative system from top to bottom?

What more evidence does one need when the agency investigating the case is told in unmistakable terms to draw a line on where its inquiries lead it to?

It speaks volumes about the pervasiveness of the malaise that sections that know have taken the subsequent cover-up of known culpable individuals with philosophical fatalism, because, for them, cleaning the Augean Stables of Kashmir would defeat Hercules himself.

Is anybody surprised that with such an indulgent public and official attitude in place for several decades, Jammu and Kashmir should have been ranked the second most corrupt state in all of India after Bihar?

The state did not come by this distinction overnight. It has taken decades of hard work by devoted acolytes to benumb society into tolerating the high levels of criminality and corruption pervading our public life.

Every government has administered incremental doses of malfeasance in one garb or the other, and given patronage to crookedness, the proceeds of which are funneled upwards for all levels to share.

The gradual institutionalization of corruption, be it awarding a petty contract for a consideration or the transfer of a government officer to a more lucrative post, of course with the tacit assumption of a decent cut in return, has brought the state to a pass where only the utterly naïve expect wheels to turn without the lubricant of a sly pay-off.

When the government at the lower levels is so highly prone to inducements, is it reasonable to assume that the upper levels are oblivious to the goings-on? Or immune to the charms of Mammon’s many guises? That begs the question: what to do about it? Utopia is nobody’s case.

The much-touted State Vigilance Organization does not have the teeth to lay hands on the high and the mighty from whom the milk of corruption flows freely and seeps into the very core of the polity. At best, it can nab a lowly clerk whose gains are chicken feed when compared to the profits of the big fish. Or, at best, it can catch hold of an engineer whose over-reaching is embarrassing even to his patrons. But to root out the canker of corruption we must have people at the help who are irreproachable, cannot be comprised and firmly believe that we are fighting a battle of life and death.-SANA

KAMRA CANTT: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Central Secretary Coordination former Senator Malik Hakmeen Khan has said the posthumous United Nations Human Rights Award conferred to PPP slain chairperson Benazir Bhutto is the recognition of the party’s manifesto and is the honour of the Pakistani nation. Talking to media men on Saturday he said, “We believe in fair justice, peace and stability in the region despite facing war threats as well as frequent terrorism attempts from anti Pakistani nefarious designs”.

Speaking on the occasion, Malik Hakmeen said Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and his daughter first lady prime minister in the Muslim countries Shaheed Benazir Bhutto struggled for the protection of human rights and freedom of expression even they sacrificed their lives but did not bow before the martial law dictators due to their principled stance.

He also eulogized the Justice Award of United Nations awarded to the deposed Chief Justice Supreme Court Mr. Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on his meritorious efforts for delivering speedy, free and transparent justice to the common man of Pakistan. “Peace and justice are the real spirits of the democracy which also strengthen all the democratic institutions” he added.

He said that some anti-democratic elements are conspiring to drag both the democratic countries of Pakistan and India into psychological war but the prevailing tension has been defused with the utmost efforts of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani through their diplomatic sources.

He asked the people to memorize the first death anniversary of late Benazir Bhutto being observed on December 27, 2008 in a historic and befitting manner we they have been deprived from the democratic leadership of the democratic world. He urged the people to strengthen the democratic process if they desire to protect their fundamental rights otherwise there is no option but to face severe economic crisis.-SANA

SRINAGAR: Various pro liberation leaders of the occupied Valley have strongly condemned the rape of 13-year- old girl at the hands of troopers in Dandipora, Kokernag, south of Kashmir and demanded high level probe. Stating that army in Valley has ‘crossed every limit to violate human rights’, High Court Bar Association (HCBA) Friday demanded high level probe into the rape of a 13-year-old girl allegedly by 36 RR in south Kashmir’s Islamabad district.

According a local news gathering agency KNS, quoting general secretary HCBA, advocate Ghulam Nabi Shaheen: “On Wednesday night troopers of 36 RR raped a residential cleric’s daughter in Kokernag in the garb of search operation. They barged into the house of Muhammad Abdullah Khatana and after locking the family members in one room raped his daughter. This only shows that Indian army here has gone out of control and is not answerable to its higher ups and government as well.”

He said, “On one side government terms troopers as the guards of people while on the other side they attack the chastity of our mothers, daughters and sisters. The world human rights organizations should take strong notice of the inhuman incident and pressurize New Delhi to end all human rights violations in the State.”

Meanwhile, Peoples League and Mahaz-e Azadi also condemned the rape incident and appealed United Nations to investigate the HR violations in Kashmir. “These kinds of incidents are not only highly condemnable but such heinous acts are enough to twist the conscience of a righteous human being. World human rights organizations should prove their basic role and responsibility by pressurizing New Delhi to take stern action against the erring army personnel. PL appeals UN to make efforts to solve the 61 years old issue and force New Delhi to take practical steps,” KNS quoted PL spokesperson Ghulam Nabi Waseem as saying.

Stating Indian Army has used rape as a weapon in Kashmir over the last two decades, Jammu Kashmir Liberation Font (JKLF UK Zone) and its Diplomatic Committee condemned the rape of the 13-year-old girl and termed the incident ‘barbaric’ and ‘inhuman.’

In a statement, Head of JKLF Diplomatic Committee Prof Zafar Khan said: “JKLF has contacted Human Rights groups to take notice of such violations in the Kashmir and will also present a petition to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown on 10th of December.” Khan further added, “The petition will highlight the basic violations of human rights, recent unlawful arrests of senior Kashmiri leaders including JKLF’s senior Vice Chairman Sheikh Mohammed Afzal and the beatings of women protesters.”

He said that JKLF has a hope that the British Government will engage in pro-active approach for the durable solution of Kashmir issue. Khan said that Britain has moral obligation to play a pivotal role in the peaceful resolution of this vexed issue.-SANA

New York: The slain Pakistani leader Benazir Bhutto and a nun murdered in Brazil three years ago were among the recipients of a United Nations prize, awarded for outstanding work in the field of human rights, the General Assembly President announced today.

Previous recipients of the UN Prize in the Field of Human Rights have included Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jimmy Carter and Amnesty International in recognition of their contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

This year’s winners are Louise Arbour, Ramsey Clark, Carolyn Gomes, Denis Mukwege, and Human Rights Watch, as well as Benazir Bhutto and Dorothy Stang, who are being honoured posthumously.

“As we mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we acknowledge the tireless work and invaluable contribution of these individuals and organizations that have fought to see the rights and freedoms embodied in this historic document become a reality for people in all corners of the world,” said Assembly President Miguel D’Escoto.

Sr. Stang of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur defended the human rights of the poor, landless and indigenous populations of the Anapu region of Brazil for nearly 40 years, despite numerous death threats. She worked with farmers to help rebuild their livelihoods, cultivate their land and defend their rights from loggers and ranchers, becoming a symbol of the fight to preserve the rainforest before being murdered in 2005.

“These awardees constitute symbols of persistence, valour and tenacity in their resistance to public and private authorities that violate human rights. They constitute a moral force to put an end to systematic human rights violations,” Mr. D’Escoto said in a press release issued today.

The human rights prize was first awarded on 10 December 1968 on the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and is awarded every five years to coincide with the date. This year’s award winners will receive their prize at a plenary meeting of the General Assembly 60 years after the landmark document was signed.-SANA

UNITED NATIONS: In a new report released Friday, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has underscored that nations are duty-bound to protect human rights while countering terrorism. “Member States are bound to ensure respect for human rights and the rule of law as the fundamental basis in the fight against terrorism,” Ban wrote in a report on the implementation of a General Assembly resolution adopted last December.

In that resolution, the 192-member assembly confirmed that nations must guarantee that any steps taken to fight terrorism conforms with their obligations, specifically regarding international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law. The Secretary-General’s report notes that “Member States should reaffirm their commitment to the total prohibition of torture by prohibiting torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment in international law.”

It also calls for people responsible for torture and ill-treatment to be prosecuted and for barring the use of statement extracted under torture, whether interrogations take place at home or abroad.

Ban also appealed for access for monitors to all prisoners in detention, as well as well as the closure of places of secret detention. “Further, Member States should abide by the principle of non-refoulement and refrain from returning persons to countries where they may face torture,” he writes.

The publication points out that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, human rights treaty bodies and Special Rapporteurs have all voiced concern over extrajudicial killings and summary executions; the alleged use of secret detention centres; and irregular transfers of people suspected of participating in terrorist activities. -UN News Service