Mohmand Taliban state treatment of families of missing persons “not a good sign for peace in the region”
The issue of “missing persons” in Pakistan and role of intelligence agencies is causing anger among the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP) and could threaten the peace process. It seems the government of Nawaz Sharif are too busy sorting out unpaid energy bills and restoring power to state offices to speak with the families of those missing. This has not gone unnoticed by TTP who have repeatedly raised their concerns regarding “enforced disappearances” torture in custody and extra-judicial killings which I have covered in past interviews see link,
Nawaz Sharif, failing to act on missing persons
A statement released by Omar Khorasani (Mohmand Agency TTP) on 29th April, 2014 reads as follows;
“Any civilized society will not allow the mistreatment carried out by intelligence agencies with the families of missing persons (in that Pakistan which was obtained in the name of Islam). The mujahidin are extremely provoked by this act carried out with our women and elders and this behaviour will never be tolerated as it is not a good sign for peace in the region because no Muslim will be tolerated to see insult of their elders and sisters.”
End
Mrs Amina Masood Janjua distressed and detained
Human rights activists and opposition party Pakistan Tehreek -e-Insaf (PTI) expressed outrage at the rough handling of Mrs Amina Masood Janjua, Defence of Human Rights (DHR) who has fought long and hard for families of missing persons after her husband Masood was “disappeared” in 2005 whilst travelling on a bus with a friend. Many ordinary civilians have become victims as a result of such actions as part of US War on Terror. Several protesters were tear gassed, baton charged by police and Mrs Janjua detained during a peaceful protest on Monday. Police brutality was caught on video and a number of campaigners and journalists received injuries as did officers during the scuffles. Full story on following link
Shaken, injured and in pain Mrs Janua returned to missing persons camp on release from custody and protesters spent an uncomfortable night sleeping on the streets. The brave campaigner made a poignant appeal to the public stating,
“People of Pakistan we need you now more than ever. After all we are human beings too, we get tired, we get hungry, we need to sleep too.
Who would not prefer the comfort of their homes over this physically and mentally torturous living on the roads? We want to go back to our homes but not without our loved ones. Not without our children, brothers and fathers. Not without the happiness and joy of our families united.
We strongly urge each and everyone of you to join us today, so that tomorrow your children would live safely and peacefully”
Mrs Janjua, assaulted, exhausted but determined to continue
In a recent message to me she expressed the need for international support for her work and has long spoken of the dangers in speaking out emphasizing, “I am risking my life for it.”
At a press conference Mrs Janjua demanded action from the President to attend to the devastating issue of enforced disappearance saying cautiously “we don’t blame any government or security institutions for what happened, we just want justice. How the current administration makes that happen is up to them.”
A rough night on the streets for the women in missing persons’ camp
The government of Nawaz Sharif must address this issue as a matter of urgency. As well as causing unnecessary distress to families due to woeful mishandling of this issue, they risk radicalizing a new generation of young people who witness the appalling treatment of their loved ones with relatives abused during peaceful protest.
The government, military and security agencies are behaving irresponsibly putting the public at risk by jeopardizing the peace process and there is a danger of retaliation attacks on those responsible for enforced disappearances. The Taliban claimed responsibility for killing of Frontier Corps men after warnings were ignored regarding the kidnapping and extra judicial killings where prisoners were denied the process of law to determine their cases.
This is not a time for the government to bury their heads in the sand, it is a time to face campaigners of missing persons with honesty and do all they can to assist in the course of justice to return loved ones home to their families.
Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad. She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.
Carol Anne Grayson (Radical Sister) blog 