HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION OF PAKISTAN

Press Release

HRCP deplores Karachi police's methods

Karachi Oct. 29: The authorities are trying to make up for their failure in the tragic murder of Hakim Said in ways to further compound the felony. Already one person, Fasih Ahmed has died in police custody. The marks all over his body told the story of the treatment he had been given by the police. Another person, 27 year old Dr. Asim Raza has barely survived the week-long police torture. His kidneys are said to have failed and his muscles impaired from over-stretching in cruelties like cheera. It is feared that he may not be able to live a normal life again.

These are only two cases that have come to light. There may be many more by the time the authorities can claim the credit of having solved the mystery of Hakim Said's death. They may not be able to do that even then.

Terrorism has to be punished: there can be no question about that. But that has to be done after the guilt is proven. The police cannot be allowed to round up people on easy suspicion and start treating them one by one as an already proven terrorist and murderer. This is not justice. It is not Islam. It is specifically forbidden by the country's Constitution.

The state has in all circumstances to uphold the rule of law. It cannot respond to terrorism by terrorism's own methods.

Asma Jehangir
Chairperson