Why Tariq Mehmood was
arrested in Gojra?
By: Farooq Tariq
On 9th
August 2009, Tariq Mehmood, a human rights activists and general
secretary Labour Party Pakistan Toba Tek Singh district issued a press
release to the journalists in Toba Tek Singh. He alleged that 8
Christians women were raped in the attack on village Korian in Gojra
Tehsil on 28July attack by Muslim fanatics. He also alleged that 40
women are still missing and no clue is yet found about their presence.
He condemned this atrocious and horrific act and demanded the government
to probe the case. Over 60 houses were burnt by Muslim fanatics in the
village on the accusation of blasphemy. This act led to another attack
on Gojra Christian community and 9 were burnt alive.
On 10th
August, an First Investigation Report (FIR) was registered by Gojra
police and Tariq was invited by the police officer in Toba Tek Singh
district for “talks” and as he arrived, he was arrested. Several serious
charges have been labeled against him including 7 ATA (Anti Terrorist
Act) and 13 MPO and so on. He was produced in the court of an Anti
Terrorist judge in Faisalabad and police asked a physical remand. The
judge denied the physical remand and sent him to Toba Tek Singh jail on
judicial remand.
The fact that a
press release issued to journalist reached the police immediately has to
be investigated yet.
Who is Tariq
Mehmood?
A young activist
(24) from village Basti Danishmandan in district Toba Tek Singh is been
active with Labour Party Pakistan for five years already. He is also an
official representative of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan in the
district. He has been active in social and labour movement and has
brought thousands of youth, brick kiln workers, and public employees on
the streets of Toba Tek Singh on issue related to violation of human
rights. Tariq has been helping all the cases where women have been
sexually assaulted, raped, tortured or been subject to violence after
choice marriages. He has publically condemned the Muslim fanatics when
they attacked a village of Ahmadies. In fact, he and his comrades have
been on the back of every battle involving the working class. He helped
rebuilt the movement of Bhatta (brick kiln) workers and thousands have
been on the streets demanding an end of bonded labour and Pershgi
(advance) system. He has helped the textile, shoe makers, and public
employees in their struggle for better life. A brave young man was
followed by intelligence agencies and fanatics all the time. Yet he
refused to stop his activities in favour of minorities and working
class. Many Fanatics termed him as Christain and not as a Muslim because
of his consistent voice in their favour.
The Gojra Incident
Tariq Mehmood and
his comrades were first to arrive at the spot in Korian village after
the incident and had the first hand information. He immediately issued
press released and condemned the action of Muslim fanatics. He helped
many journalist from out side the districts to cover the story. He also
played an important role alongside with his party members and Christian
youth leaders to blockade the train services by bringing the seven
bodies in protest to demand a case registered against District Police
Office and District Coordination officer on 2nd August. This
was international news and the protesters blocked the railway line for
over hours until the government was forced accept the demand. In a very
unusual act, the police registered a case against their top police and
administrative officers on failing to protect the lives of the
Christians. The DCO and DPO were called back from their duties and a
judge of Lahore High Court is now investigating the case.
The police and
administration was looking an excuse to attack him and other LPP
activists in the district. Instead of looking into the allegation of
rape and disappearing of the Christian women, police arrested him on
very serious charges that can lead to death sentence. The journalists
are also angry with him. Most of them are saying that when Christian
community leaders are not bringing these allegations of rape and
disappearances, why Tariq Mehmood is doing that? In normal practice, a
press release of this nature was to be investigated by the journalists.
They have all the right not to print it and say that it was false
charges. But instead the press release has been handed over to police
who have taken very drastic actions.
Labour Party
Pakistan demands an immediate release of Tariq Mehmood and call on the
government to check the facts if women were raped and over 40 have
disappeared. LPP will not let this incident go unnoticed. We have
launched an international campaign for the release of Tariq Mehmood.
Please sign the
following and send it to the addresses pasted below
Subject: release
Tariq Mehmood, a human rights activist in Toba Tek Singh
Top of Form
Honorable Prime
Minister,
Islamic Republic
of Pakistan,
Dear Sir,
We wish to draw
your attention to the illegal and totally unnecessary arrest of Tariq
Mehmood, a well known human rights activist and the general secretary
Labour Party Pakistan Toba Tek Singh today the 11th August
which is being commemorated as the Day of Minorities n Pakistan. It is
ironic to note that a staunch defender of the rights of minorities
should have been arrested on a day officially dedicated to the rights of
minorities, while the perpetrators of violence against innocent
Christians of Gojra remain at large.
It is even more
reprehensible that the Toba Tek Singh Police has framed absurd charges
of terrorist activities against a peaceful and conscientious activist
who risked his life to defend poor victims of religious intolerance.
He has
consistently highlighted the case of the brutal burning to death at
Gojra. He had also been demanding the arrest of those who were
responsible for the killings. On 6 August, he was targeted and
threatened of dire consequences by a group of religious fundamentalist
at a press conference in Toba Tek Singh. Instead of protecting those who
are in forefront of a fight against religious extremism, the police are
arresting them.
We demand Tariq
Mehmood immediate release and a probe into police behavior that has led
to an unnecessary arrest of a human rights activist.
Please email and
fax the appeal to the following email addresses
Mr. Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani
Prime minister of Pakistan
Prime Minister House
Islamabad
PAKISTAN
Fax: + 92 51 9221596
E-mail:
secretary@cabinet.gov.pk
a copy to all the following addresses
Minister for Interior
R Block Pak Secretariat
Islamabad
PAKISTAN
Tel: +92 51 9212026
Fax: +92 51 9202624
E-mail: ministry.interior@gmail.com
or
interior.complaintcell@gmail.com
Mr. Mian Shahbaz Sharif
Chief Minister of Punjab
H-180 Model Town
Lahore
PAKISTAN
Fax: +92 42 5881383
Minister of Law
Government of Punjab
Punjab Secretariat
Ravi Road
Lahore
PAKISTAN
E-mail:
law@punjab.gov.pk
Chief Secretary of Government of Punjab
Punjab Secretariat
Lahore
PAKISTAN
Fax: +92 42 7324489
E-mail:
chiefsecy@punjab.gov.pk
|