PUBLIC AI Index: ASA 33/048/2007

27 November 2007

Further Information on UA 301/07 (ASA 33/030/2007, 9 November 2007) Fear of torture or ill treatment/illegal detention

PAKISTAN Ayub Qureshi (m) ]

Ghulum Farid Awan (m) ] politicians

Hasil Bizenjo (m) ]

Yusuf Mastikhan (m), trade union leader

Liaquat Ali Sahi (m)

On 22 November the fivemen named above were released on bail. They still face charges of sedition and rioting after they took part in a civil society meeting at the Karachi Press Club on 6 November in which they protested against the imposition of emergency rule by General Musharraf.

The detainees have been active in campaigns to assert the interests and protect the rights of the people of Baluchistan province. The charges against them appear to be politically motivated in an effort to suppress their right to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Acting in his capacity as Army Chief of Staff, on 3 November General Musharraf suspended the bulk of the Constitution, including the rights not be arbitrarily deprived of life and to be guaranteed a fair trial. He assumed powers to amend the Constitution without any parliamentary procedure and proclaimed a Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO). This order prohibits any court issuing an order against the President, Prime Minister or any person exercising powers under their authority.

Since the imposition of emergency, police and law enforcement agencies have arrested thousands of lawyers, political activists and human rights defenders.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Urdu, English or your own language:

- welcoming the release of the five men named above but urging the authorities to withdraw the charges against them;

- expressing concern that the charges appear to have been leveled for political reasons and aimed to suppress their rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly,

calling on the authorities to protect and uphold constitutional human rights guarantees, including safeguards on life and liberty.

APPEALS TO:

President Pervez Musharraf
Pakistan Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Fax: +92 51 922 1422
E-mail: via website: http://www.presidentofpakistan.gov.pk/WTPresidentMessage.aspx
Salutation: Dear President Musharraf

Dr. Ishrat Ul Ebad Khan
Governor Sindh
Governor House
Karachi, Pakistan
Fax: +92 21 920 1218 / 1226
E-mail: governor@governorsindh.gov.pk
Salutation: Dear Governor

Hamid Nawaz Khan
Minister for the Interior
Room 404, 4th Floor, Block R, Federal Secretariat
Islamabad, Pakistan
Fax: + 92 51 920 2624
E-mail: minister@interior.gov.pk /secretary@interior.gov

Salutation: Dear Minister

Syed Afzal Haider
Minister of Law, Justice and Human Rights
Room 305, S-Block, Pakistan Secretariat
Islamabad, Pakistan
Fax: +92 51 9202628 /+92 51 9201631
E-Mail: minister@molaw.gov.pk
Salutation: Dear Minister

COPIES TO: diplomatic representatives of Pakistan accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 8 January 2008.