State held responsible for targeted killings of HR activists

SUKKUR: Speakers at a seminar have held the state responsible for targeted killing of human rights activists, including Rashid Rehman, Sabeen Mahmud and Irshad Mastoi.

They were speaking at the seminar organised by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) here on Thursday. The speakers included advocate Hadi Bux Bhatt, HRCP district coordinator Jamila Mangi, HR leader Shakir Jamali, Sattar Zangejo, Sahil Jogi, Anas Ghangro, Farooq Soomro, Sahar Tahira and Yawar Najfi. They said Rashid Rehman was killed because he was advocating the cases of the oppressed people of Balochistan.

Sabeen Mahmud was gunned down because she had supported Mama Qadeer Baloch and also arranged a programme about missing persons of Balochistan. After the programme, she was shot dead, they said.

When the rally about missing persons reached Islamabad, they said, journalist Irshad Mastoi was killed in an attack in Balochistan because he was writing the truth.

They said the anchorperson Hamid Mir was attacked when he talked in strong words against the state in a programme.

They said the working of present civil courts in the country should be made better instead of setting up military courts. They said they were against the violation of human rights through the Pakistan Protection Ordinance or through the military court system.

The participants observed one-minute silence for those activists who lost their lives in targeted attacks.

Later, candles were lit to pay homage to Sabeen Mahmud.

Published in Dawn, May 8th, 2015

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