The Human Rights Actions Network - Derechos Human Rights http://www.derechos.org/human-rights/actions/ Case PAK 270297 The International Secretariat of OMCT/SOS Torture requests your URGENT intervention in the following situation in Pakistan. Brief description of the situation: The Asian Centre for the Progress of Peoples, a member of our network, has expressed its grave concern for three men arrested in the Khanewal District of Punjab Province. On 5 February a Muslim reportedly found some pages of Koran text in a Mosque near Shanti Ngar. Allegedly, insulting remarks were written on these pages by Mr Raji, a Christian. Mr Raji had apparently earlier accused a police party of desecrating the Bible while they were conducting a raid on his house in Shanti Nagar Village, on suspicion that he possessed liqueur. Raji's name and address were found with the blasphemous writings. In the evening of 5 February, announcements were heard from the loudspeakers of the Mosque calling on Muslims to take revenge on the Christians. The rioters then went to Christian localities in the city and surrounding villages and looted and destroyed 12 churches, houses of 5 Christian pastors, 2 dispensaries, 3 schools, houses of 3 teachers, a hostel housing, 150 boarders, 24 vehicules, 125 shops and 598 family homes (8574 people virtually homeless). At 6:00 a.m. on 6 February, three Christians, Chaman Barkat (60), Sardar Piro (65), and Bashir Barket (45) were arrested for allegedly desecrating the Koran. There are grave concerns over this allegation, all three arrested are apparently illiterate and therefore could not have written the remarks in the copy of the Koran. Further concern is raised over the allegation that the names of the above mentioned people were not mentioned in the formal statement lodged by the Muslim complainant who reportedly found the pages. According to information received, although the elected Member of the National Assembly (Pakistan's federal parliament) and the Prime Minister Mr Mian Nawaz Sharif have expressed sorrow about the incident, it is feared that the Government of Pakistan may not take appropriate action. Within this context, it is worth noting that no public officer has visited the affected area. Action requested: Please write the Pakistani authorities urging them to: i. guarantee at all times the physical and psychological integrity of Chaman Barkat, Sardar Piro and Bashir Barket, and to take measures to protect all religious minorities in the region. ii order their immediate release if they are detained without valid charges or, if such charges exist, bring them before a competent and impartial civil tribunal and guarantee their procedural rights at all times, iii. guarantee an impartial and exhaustive enquiry into the incidents, find those responsible, bring them to trial, and apply the penal, civil, and/or administrative sanctions provided by law; iv take all necessary measures to guarantee appropriate assistance to the victims of the incident of 5 February, including their rights to redress and compensation; v. ensure in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with national laws and international standards. Addresses: President Farooq Ahmad Leghari, Office of the President, Islamabad, Pakistan. Telex : 54058 PSPUB PK - Fax : + 92 51 811 390 Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Office of the Prime Minister, Islamabad, Pakistan. Telex : 5742 PMH PK - Fax : + 92 51 821 835/ 823 144/ 821 968 Geneva, 27 February 1997 Kindly inform the International Secretariat of any action undertaken quoting the code number of the present appeal. Ben Schonveld Projects Manager OMCT-SOS-Torture Fax 4122 733 1051 Ph 4122 733 3140 OMCT is: l'Organisation Mondiale contre la Torture The World Organisation Against Torture http://www.omct.org/ human rights in pakista = http://www.derechos.org/saran/pak.html