Enforced disappearances is violation of constitution and laws says HRCP

HRCP and IPSS organised a seminar on Human Rights in the Era of Enforced Disappearances at Safma Auditorium on Saturday January 6, 2018, according to a press release issued to the media.

Large number of human rights and artist community, academics and teachers, students, rights based NGOs, representatives of political parties and families of missing persons attended the seminar, says the press release.

An HRCP documentary on enforced disappearance was screened, a presentation on the history of enforced disappearance was shown. This was followed by Mr. I. A. Rehman discussing enforced disappearances. Salima Hashmi read a poem of Faiz Ahmad Faiz for Raza khan and all victims of enforced disappearance. Hina Jilani gave an overview of the laws and UN treaties that are being violated by the practice.

Enforced Disappearances have become prevalent in Pakistan and one hears about new disappearances every day. Currently 1498 cases of enforced disappearances pending with the inquiry commission as of November 2017.

On October 26, 2017, Supreme Court Justice Ejaz Afzal Khan said “The highest judicial office of the country has no answer to give to the loved ones of the missing persons who has been doing the rounds of the courts”. Senator Farhatullah Babar said “whoever is picking up these people is stronger than state institutions”, while the Senate Committee on Human Rights said “this matter is bringing disrepute to the country”. Thus the civil institutions of the state seem helpless in resolving the matter.

Enforced disappearances are against Pakistan’s constitution and violate articles 4, 9, 10, 14 and it is against Universal Declaration of Human Rights articles 3, 5, 6, 9, 10, 19. Thus, this practice is illegal, inhumane and is counterproductive to nation building and peace building said the press release.

The participants demanded from the government of Pakistan

Criminalises enforced disappearances.

Empower the commission of Inquiry and turn it into a judicial commission.

Pakistan ratify the international convention on enforced disappearances.

Implement the recommendations of the three member commission of Supreme court judges given in 2010.

HRCP press release