Freedom for Masood Janjua – Ten years too much!!
“Disappeared” on 30th July 2005
Here I am in the 10th year of struggle for the release of my secretly detained loving husband Masood Janjua. It suddenly transpired to me that it’s the 10th year and Masood is still detained!! Years and years of tireless efforts, sleepless nights and agonizing grief could not bring him back. It struck me with a newest intensity of pain like never before.
It burnt my entire soul into ashes. I felt it was an undefeatable power as it took me to a newest kind of determination, passion and courage. I want to tell it today that in spite of every suffering, pain and agony, throughout these years, I was always full of hope, firmly believing that Masood will be returned to me just as he was happy, loving, caring and full of life.
That’s what my faith is right now, I know that all the dark forces are holding my husband physically, but they cannot imprison his soul. “Courage’s cannot be imprisoned!!” Me and Masood are much more close to each other now than ever before.
Have a look at my love Masood, a man of honor and dignity, a well known personality of business and educational circles in the twin cities. A loving father, caring husband, devoted son to his aging parents. A keen builder of the nation, a true patriot. I never rested since the day he disappeared on 30th July 2005.I knocked at every door in the power corridor, filed petitions in the court and fought like a lawyer, carried out thousands of protest demonstrations, rallies and camps. In 2008 September I spoke about Masood in the UN‘s Human Rights Council meeting. I travelled all over the world to shake the conscience of the human rights flag bearers and campaign for all the disappeared.
From Nepal to Norway, from Mardan to Manila, Masood’s thoughts and beautiful memories were always with me. I could smell him at the base of Mount Everest and feel his presence at a place where it was written; “End of the World”
The struggle for Masood’s return entering into the 10th year is not the end of the story, rather it’s a new beginning of fresh commitments and of newly found courage. Also a new beginning of a strongest ever pain-in-the-heart with an intensity so deep that it can’t be explained. It hurts much more now, but as if saying that the time of Masood’s return is near.
If you have a loved one, you will understand my feelings and pain. I request you to please raise your voice for a forcefully separated family. The truth and sincerity of your voice will reach far and wide, playing a vital role in uniting a broken family.
Amina Masood Janjua
30th July 2015,
fb/aminamasoodjanjua/fanpage
email: chairpersondhr@gmail.com
Amina Masood Janjua championing the cause of Pakistan’s “disappeared” as she searches for missing husband
See earlier link,
Story of Masood Update
“How much we can do for you?” and referring to army and judiciary “there is a danger of confrontation of institutions because of your case” were the words of one Supreme Court Judge while refusing to record statement of the most important witness of the enforced disappearance of Masood Janjua. Since 22nd May 2014 when judge uttered these words Masood’s case has not been given a single hearing in the Court. Disappeared since 30th July 2005, Masood Janjua has been reported by many former detainees being seen in secret detention. The campaign started for his release by his wife, Amina Masood Janjua in 2005, despite the dreadful military dictatorship has turned into a nationwide movement for all the disappeared of Pakistan.
A comparison of count of enforced disappearances in 11 eleven countries of Asia, which are members of Asian Federation Against Enforced disappearances, shows that Pakistan has the highest number of continuing cases of enforced disappearances, at least in Asia. The movement started in the name of Masood Janjua has witnessed a partial success as 850 persons, out of above 2300 recorded so far, have been recovered in the past ten years yet fate of Masood Janjua is still unknown. Masood’s mother died two years ago waiting for his return. His family has been facing countless hardships from financial crisis to death threats.
This year on 30th July 2015 it will be 10 full years since Masood Janjua was enforced disappeared. Sorrowful anniversary, yet it calls for the support of national and international community to take a deeper notice of the enforced disappearance of Masood Janjua. In the last couple of years there is a rising trend of eliminating missing persons. Dead bodies are either thrown in gunny bags or handed over to families with threats of dire consequences if reported. That’s why it is important to build up pressure on Government of Pakistan to stop enforced disappearances and recover Masood Janjua immediately. Amina has requested supporters to write to Mian Nawaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, for the safe release of Masood Janjua.
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30th July 2015,
fb/aminamasoodjanjua/fanpage
email: chairpersondhr@gmail.com
Note: You can find a sample letter and Prime Minister contact details at www.dhrpk.org.
Links
“Detainees vanish in secretive facilities as Pakistan fights Taliban”
“Pakistan: Wife of missing person delivers recommendations to government to address enforced disappearances”
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 