Press Release
LAHORE: Prominent human rights defenders censured the Punjab Police for their alleged attempt to divert the responsibility of the tragic incident of Jaranwala on a foreign spy agency.
A joint statement issued by Luke Victor, Pastor Ghazala Shafique, Sheema Kermani and Bhevish Kumar From Minority Rights March. “We reiterate our legitimate apprehensions with respect to officers concerned of the Punjab Police being either negligent in duty or abettors in the incident, and demand an enquiry into the role of these officers with liability being laden on them regarding any act or omission on their part which may have led or contributed to the incident.”
They said that they hoped to see concrete results on part of the State in the shape of redressal of losses and miseries of victims, action against perpetrators, steps to promote tolerance and curb growing radicalization and religious hatred, and regain the trust of each member of religious minorities and reinvigorating in them a sense of equality as citizens, “we are saddened to note that not one of these remedial actions have been observed even after the lapse of one month.”
The human rights defenders said that the Punjab Police should themselves be on trial, it is alarming that they are investigators of their own cause which has led to justice being delayed and hence denied to the Christian community.
Besides, they said local radicals on the loose in Jaranwala, being emboldened by the lack of any concrete action against them, were subsequently observed to have organized a strike and procession against the alleged blasphemy committed, prior to the mob-violence, by two Christians who are currently arrested. “It is appalling to note that this strike was endorsed by members of the legal fraternity of the Jaranwala Bar Association.”
“These happenings leave little to no hope for the atmosphere of Jaranwala being safe for the Christian community, and for due process, fair trial and adequate legal representation being afforded to the Christian family having been accused of blasphemy. It is also alarming to note that the lack of strict action against the perpetrators of the August 16 violence has emboldened radical elements across Pakistan leading to incidents targeting religious minorities, including graffiti on the walls of Christian churches and schools in Karachi.”
They also voiced their concern over the rise in registration of first information reports (FIRs) on unsubstantiated charges of blasphemy with a most recent case having been registered in Lahore against a Christian couple namely Shaukat Masih and Kiran who have since been arrested without just cause, leaving behind three minor children.
They also took strong exception to the incident of graffiti on the wall of a Church in Jaranwala and the incidental fire-arm injury caused to the Church’s Pastor Eleazar Sidhu, saying that “we are disconcerted by the subsequent extra-judicial confession extracted from Pastor Eleazar Sidhu wherein he seemingly claims to have orchestrated the ordeal himself under stress, and whereas the voluntariness and veracity of such confession itself seems dubious to the prudent mind.”
They demanded an impartial enquiry into the incident. “We firmly hold that Pastor Eleazar’s extra-judicial confession ought not be used to undermine the plight of religious minorities and underscore the gross negligence on part of the State and law enforcement agencies contributing to the rise of an intolerant society.”
They also called upon all organs of the State to take concrete measures to combat extremist elements, including but not limited to the implementation of the recommendations of the Gojra Report and the directives passed by the Supreme Court in judgment reported as PLD 2014 SC 699, and ensure inexpensive, impartial and expeditious justice for victims of Jaranwala.
