MQM'S WORLDWIDE PROTEST Media Release

MUTTAHIDA QUAMI MOVEMENT (MQM) BEGINS ITS WORLDWIDE PROTEST CAMPAIGN TO PROTEST AGAINST THE CONTINUED INJUSTICES, ATROCITIES AND THE DENIAL OF THEIR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS BY THE SUCCESSIVE GOVERNMENTS OF PAKISTAN INCLUDING THE PRESENT MILITARY GOVERNMENT

26 July 2000
South Africa

Today, the MQM (Overseas) South Africa Unit organised a peaceful demonstration of Mohajirs living in South Africa at UNHCR building, Brown Street, Pretoria to protest against the unconstitutional and unfair judgement announced by the Accountability Court of National Accountability Bureau (NAB) against Dr. Farooq Sattar in a false and fabricated case. Moreover, the participants also protested against the persistent injustices being committed by the successive governemnts of Pakistan including the present army regime upon the Mohajir population in Urban Sindh, southern Pakistan.

The demonstrators started the march at 12.30 p.m., towards UNHCR Building. Large number of Mohajir elders, children, women, MQM workers and supporters joined the march and chanted slogans:

GO BACK GO BACK -- ARMY GO BACK
KILLER KILLER -- ARMY KILLER
BUTCHER BUTCHER -- ARMY BUTCHER
WAKE UP WAKE UP -- UNO WAKE UP
RELEASE RELEASE -- FAROOQ SATTAR
WEL COME WEL COME -- UNO WEL COME
WE WANT -- FREEDOM
FUTURE OF THE NATION -- ALTAF HUSSAIN

The petition was handed over to Mr. Mangesha Kabede, Head and Representative of UNHCR in Republic of South Africa.

Prior to the demonstration a four members delegation of MQM South Africa Unit went to the South African Department of Foreign Affairs where a petition was handed over to Ms Engelbrecht, Deputy Director of Civil and Political Rights Department. Ms Englebrecht expressed her concern over the violations of basic human rights committed by the governments of Pakistan upon the MQM and assured the delegation of full cooperation in the matter.