HYDERBAAD: Nationalist activists along with writers, intellectuals and activists of various civil society organisations joined in a rally organised by the Human Rights Coordination Committee (HRCC) to express solidarity with the Youth Action Committee (YAC) in its protest against alleged enforced disappearances of more than 150 political, nationalist and other activists in Sindh.

The rally started from the old (Sindh University) campus locality and culminated outside the local press club, where the 72-hour hunger strike observed under the auspices of the YAC ended on Saturday evening.

Organisers of the rally, Women Action Forum (WAF) activist Amar Sindhu, Jami Chandio and others, spoke to the participants and demanded an end to the alleged enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killing of such activists. Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) leader Dr Ashothama also took part in the rally.

The participants called for producing all “victims of enforced disappearance” in courts of law irrespective of their ethnic and political affiliation. They said that the missing persons should be provide an opportunity to explain their position.Leaders of the protesters stressed that cases of extrajudicial killing must be investigated fairly by those persons whose integrity was beyond reproach. They also called for implementing recommendations of the apex court regarding missing persons.

HRCC convener Prof Imdad Chandio read out the declaration issued at the rally.

According to the declaration, “enforced disappearances negate fundamental human rights. Disappearances have emerged as an important democratic question as it is exposing democracy. Law enforcement agencies are themselves violating law by picking activists in the middle of night; Sindh has always fought against such repression”.

“The way activists are intimidated outside Karachi Press Club shows that oppressed nations are facing an undeclared martial law and journalists, activists and those who demand their right on their own natural resources are being dubbed as traitors. Political parties are responsible for this sin along with the establishment. Political parties take credit for the 18th constitutional amendment but they are unable to do anything regarding law and order.”

Sindh Taraqqi-pasand Party (STP) chairman Dr Qadir Magsi told the rally participants that missing persons had not committed any offence for which they should tender apology. Every citizen had the right to freedom of expression, he argued.

“In the past, activists used to be lashed in jails and now they are made to face enforced disappearances; or their bodies are thrown away. Some of them are released only after they lose their mental balance [due to mental torture] and in some cases even their bodies are not found. If they have committed a crime, they should be produced in a court of law,” he said.

Jeay Sindh Mahaz-Riaz (JSM-R) chairman Riaz Chandio observed that the “entire Sindh has woken up against tyranny and repression”. He said right to freedom of expression could not be curbed. “Pakistan is a multination state; Punjab’s supremacy will never be accepted,” he added.

Former Sindh advocate general Yousuf Leghari said the chief justice of Pakistan should take suo motu notice of missing persons’ cases.

Sindh Untied Party (SUP) leader Roshan Burirro said appreciated young girls and women for taking to the street on the issue of enforced of Sindh have rendered sacrifices over missing persons’ issue and pleading for the recovery of their loved ones and other such victims. He said their sustained struggle was commendable.

Qaumi Awami Tehreek secretary general Anwar Soomro, Awami Jamhori Party leader Abrar Kazi, Communist Party of Pakistan leader Comrade Imdad Qazi, WAF leader Arfana Mallah and Sassui Lohar also spoke.

Sanan Qureshi and Dr Niaz Kalani of the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz, Dr Dodo Mahri of the SUP, Punhal Sario, Nawaz Shah Badahi, Ameer Azad Panhwar, Nasreen Altaf, Akash Mallah, Prof Mushtaq Mirani, Aslam Khairpuri, Dr Bukhshal Thallu, Taj Joyo, Cormade Taj Marri and several other prominent figures took part in the rally.

Published in Dawn, May 28th, 2018