Carol Anne Grayson (Radical Sister) blog

Identity of Handwara girl withheld

Press Release:
8 June 2016

The shocking photo of the fate of Abreen was posted by Abdullah Khan

The barbaric killing last week of a 16 year old girl named Ambreen Riasat in Makol village, Donga Gali, Abbottabad district has shocked many in Pakistan. Dawn media reported that the young girl’s charred body was discovered in a vehicle at a bus stop. The killing was alleged to have involved 15 members of a jirga (tribal council) who reacted following the elopement of a couple on April 23 with claims they were assisted to leave by Ambreen and a driver named Naseer.

RT reported a statement from district police chief Saeed Wazir who said the elders,

‘Took her (Ambreen) to an abandoned place outside the village and made her unconscious by injecting her with some drugs.” 

‘Then they seated the girl in a van in which the couple had escaped. They tied her hands to the seats and then poured petrol on her and the vehicle.”

“The vehicle was then set ablaze.”

Wazir said he “hadn’t seen such a barbaric attack in my whole life.” Ambreen may also have been strangled.

Members of a tribal council accused of ordering the burning death of a 16 year old girl are shown to the media after they were arrested by police in Donga Gali, outside Abbottabad, Pakistan on May 5, 2016. (Image, Online News TPX/Reuters)

Abdullah Khan an expert in Managing Director at Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) comes from the village where an horrific crime was committed against a young woman raising an outcry from the public and led to an outpouring of his his personal thoughts on the incident for social media. Dawn Media stated that according to police, a 15-member jirga (tribal council) “had ordered the girl, named as Amber, to be killed and set alight as punishment for helping her friend to marry of her own free will” see following link from the BBC,

“Pakistan elders ‘ordered girl’s killing’ in Abbottabad”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-36212080

This is Khan’s posting on his FaceBook page….

Complete Story of Burning a Girl in Abbottabad:
No copy rights anyone can share.

On April 29, 2016 at around 3:00 am people of Makol which is 35 kilometer south east of Abbottabad city and around 11 kilometers from Nathya Gali saw two Suzuki vans engulfed in huge flames. They tried to put out fire but the fire went out only when nothing remained to be burnt in both the vans. A handful of number of local people had gathered around in the meanwhile and they were astonished to see that a body of a girl was lying on back seat of one of the vans. The body was tied to the back seat. People announced in loud speakers of Masjid but no one turned up.

A group of local people started advocating that it is an unknown dead body and started to collect money to send her dead body to Abbottabad for autopsy. It was business as usual for the police initially as the village Makol is famous for enmity and killings in rivalry. However, such brutality was never scene. This is for the first time that I reluctantly associate myself with my own village. The incident happened just about hundred meters from my home and I usually park my own car where these two vans were burnt. When I came to know about this incident I was sure that it was work of young gangs of boys who have become a trade mark of our village.

The village had produced first gold medalist in 1974 when our Sardar Hukamdad took first position in BSc from Peshawar University. Higher education rate is also better than surrounding villages however short temper is also trade mark of one part of my village. Almost every year few people are killed on very petty issues. Around fifteen years back one of my village mate became absconder in police firing. He went to jail and then came back as Tarzan of the area. Unfortunately our jails produce Tarzans everywhere. Last year he was killed by people of his own clan in revenge killing but his ‘tenure’ changed the mindset of young boys and they started to idealize him. Now there are many following his footsteps and education rate after matric is going down. They roam free and no one is safe from them. They are involved in raping, extortion and many other crimes and police never took care of the issue seriously. So my obvious suspicion was on them.

I was quite upset and wanted that this tragic incident should be start of a new era in my village so I tweeted the photo of the dead body of the ‘unknown’ girl and it went viral. Thanks to Omar Qureshi from Express Tribune for helping in spreading the word. After few hours of social media campaign it moved the senior police officers and then the issue went up to the CM. Thanks to Member Provincial Assembly Amna Sardar who raised the issue in the assembly. In the evening we came to know that the girl was well known instead of unknown as she was a student of 9th class aged around 15 and daughter of a poor laborer Riasat from Makol Payeen. Her name was Ambreen. She was not mentally fully fit and was under some sort of spiritual treatment.

Police and everybody was clueless that why she was burnt. Killing was enough if someone wanted to shut her up. It looked like kidnapping for rape and then killing to remain undetected. But again the question was why someone will burn her.

Police had to pick up Ambreen’s mother Shammi as her statements were not consistent. She told police that her daughter was at home till 10 p.m. then light went off and she slept. Next morning she did not found her girl. She heard about burning a girl, but did not tell anyone that it can be her girl. She was not crying. Not too much upset. But police failed to get any clue from her.

On social media and mainstream media the incident had become a burning issue. Chief Minister Pervez Khattak himself was pursuing and our village was like police station for almost a week.

While under pressure police was following every lead they could get and on the night between May 4 and 5 they raided at my brother in laws home. My brother in law is a retired nursing Havaldar from Army Medical Corp and the only person available in the area to provide basic health care facilities. To me it was as Police was teaching me a lesson indirectly for highlighting the issue on social media. I contacted the District Police Officer and Station Head Officer (SHO) through my contacts in parliament and military but the DPO was bent upon to bring my sister and brother in law to police station at midnight. His response to my contacts was that he has almost reached to unearth the plot and investigation from my sister and brother is instrumental. However, he sent them back after asking them just three questions. Perhaps he was satisfying his ego that he defied to senior military officers and a senator but to me he was disgracing a mother whose two sons are doing PhD in computer science and the couple is highly respected in the area. Next morning we came to know about DPOs press conference and achievement in solving the mystery. We personally suffered due to his attitude but even then I supported his team on social media as it was much needed break through.

What was revealed is mind boggling. None of the perpetrators was a gangster or criminal and all my guesses were wrong. One of my sisters had told me very next day that the girl was killed to revenge a love marriage of another girl but when I counter checked from other people they said it is not possible. But my sister had a clue and she proved to be right.

Young Saima never thought that her love marriage will transform her clan into blood sucking beasts. She ran away from her home and did court marriage with a boy Musa son of Muhammad Aslam. Saima’s clan is called Sadyal while she married to Musa who belongs to Bakoti clan. Locally clan is called Bradri. Men of Sadyal Bradri let by local councilor Sardar Pervez sat together at midnight and decided that they will teach an unprecedented lesson to those who played a role in love marriage of Saima. They had suspicion on Ambreen as she was a friend of Saima. Some of them went to Ambreen’s house and told her mother to send him with them otherwise they will kill her only remaining son. The other son had died two years ago in mysterious circumstances. They told her that they will send her to Madrassah but did not want her to live there. Poor Shammi had no choice but to oblige to save life of her son. They took away poor Ambreen. There are different accounts whether she was raped or not but she was killed and then her dead body tied to back seat of the van.

Luckily Saima is still alive (unlike some media reports) as the family in which she got married is more powerful than Sadyal bradri. They went for one of the most poor family in the village. Ambreen’s mother is still in police custody and still has not spoken anything which could help police but police has itself uncovered the mystery. A text message by one of the culprits to another person had provided the lead. Police was helped by intelligence agencies too.

The culprits were so clever that they used to remain with the police during investigation and most of the times mislead them. But Ambreen’s blood had to speak out and it spoke out well. Now it is time to keep an eye on proceedings of the case and how it is prosecuted in the court of law. Someone told me that the case may be tried in military court which I do not agree. It will be total mistrust on existing judicial system if this case is transferred to military courts. I also disagree with counter terrorism sections included in the FIR. Terrorism is generally defined as use of violence for achieving political goals. It was brutality and Pakistani law must be capable for dealing with it. I thank you all for your support during last one week. It is a collective victory of all of us and lets stand together against these rascals who could not let a girl marry according to her wish.
I will correct spelling mistakes and other errors later.

End

Another life brutally taken (Image via Changez Khan)

Today a new victim briefly makes the news. Her name is Maria (age 19) Dawn Media states, the young woman “was tortured and set on fire after refusing a marriage proposal, succumbed to her injuries in Islamabad’s Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) on Wednesday”

On Twitter a businessman and dentist who goes by the name Changez Khan, posted,

Once again innocent girl named Maria is tortured,kerosene oil & then set on fire by 5 men & she died in murree hosp.

The anger was building up on social media with the first posters appearing. Zarlasht Faisal asked the question, “a girl burnt in Murree over a marriage dispute succumbs to injuries, an acid attack on a woman in Sahiwal. Where is the “progress” Pakistan? Protesters wanted to know what measures were being taken to prevent such attacks, as they highlighted, such terrible abuse of females must not go unpunished…. “there is no honour in killing.”

Links

“Girl torched in Murree for refusing marriage proposal dies of her injuries”

http://www.dawn.com/news/1262066/girl-torched-in-murree-for-refusing-marriage-proposal-dies-of-injuries

“Hopes and honour killings”

http://www.dawn.com/news/1241458/hopes-and-honour-killings

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT 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”.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) claimed responsibility via Umar media

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT 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”.

Bus incident in Kunduz (picture) all detained are allegedly SOF/ANA

(Image via Habibullah Helal)

KUNDUZ, May. 31 – 26 Enemy troops travelling in a civilian bus and wearing civilian clothes were detained by Mujahideen of Islamic Emirate during a search operation in Angoor Bagh area of the provincial capital, Kunduz city.

The 26 commando and ANA troops trying to leave via 3 buses were detained with all their documents and later identified via biometric devices whereas the ordinary civilians also travelling with to their respected areas were set free after a brief investigation.

6 detainees trying to run away were killed during pursuit while the rest of the hirelings are still in Mujahideen captivity.

All the detainees are military personnel and not civilians as claimed by the media. Each one has been captured with his documents via a well planned intelligence operation.

End

Link

“Afghan conflict: Taliban kidnap bus passengers and kill 10”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-36416260

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT 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”.

Zabihullah Mujahid

Police injured as enemy post attacked   SAMANGAN, May 31 – Mujahideen of the Islamic attacked an enemy post in the provincial capital of Samangan province late yesterday night.

Arbaki militias suffer heavy losses NANGARHAR, May 31 – A number of the Arbaki militias sustained losses of life and injury in a clash with Mujahideen in Bati Kot district of Nangarhar province on Monday evening.

Conference on allegiance to incumbent Amir-ul-Momineen called on BADAKSHAN, May 31 – The Islamic Emirate called on a meeting in Wardaj district of Badakhshan province on Sunday.

A large number of Mujahideen and seniors of the Islamic Emirate, tribal elders and prominent tribesmen participated in the gathering. Notables, Ulam (scholars) from all over the country came to offer their condolences.

The conference was aimed at expressing condolence over martyrdom of Mullah Akhtar Mansour ( May Allah accept his martyrdom and grant him the highest place in Jannat ul Firdous) and pledging allegiance to current Amir al – Momineen, Shiekhul Hadith and Tafseer, Mullah Hibatullah Akhun Zada.

There was Khatam-e-Quran ( the complete recitation of entire Holy Quran) and the participants expressed their condolences over the martyrdom of the former Amir –ul- Monineen, Mullah Akhtar Mansour (May Allah rest his soul in peace) and prayed that Allah Almighty give the ability and courage to the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss.

Later, everyone gave their allegiance to the incumbent Amir-ul-Monineen, Mualana Hibatullah Akhun Zada.

Finally, the Islamic Emirate governor to Badakhshan province gave an all-inclusive talk.

2 puppets killed, 6 injured in Paktia PAKTIA, May 31 – At least two puppets were killed and three others were wounded with a vehicle destroyed in two roadside bombings in Syed Karam district of Paktia province on Monday.

In another report, two puppets were wounded in an exchange o fire with Mujahideen in Ahmad Khel district of Paktia province on Monday.

Separately, 1 policeman was wounded in surprise attack in Zurmat.

2 women martyred; 2 women, 1 child injured in enemy shelling GHAZNI, May 31 – Al-Emarah News said Tuesday two innocent women were martyred and three women including a child suffered serious injuries when the enemy pounded the village with mortar rounds in Khogiyani district of Ghazni province last night.

5 killed, enemy tank destroyed in Ghazni GHAZNI, May 31 – At least five puppets were killed in a clash with Mujahideen in which an enemy tank was destroyed after being shot with rocket in Qarabagh district of Ghazni province on Tuesday.

5 Arbakis killed in clashes NANGARHAR, May 31 – At least five Arbakis militias were killed in two separate attacks in Nangarhar province’s Chaprihar district of on Tuesday.

An enemy post was also attacked and a number of the Arbakis are said to have suffered injuries in the attacks.

Blast leaves 3 Arbakis killed NURISTAN, May 31 – A roadside bombing ripped into the Arbakis when they were on foot and left 3 Arbakis and dead and wounded in Kamdish district of eastern Nooristan province on Tuesday morning.

Attacks leave 4 puppets dead, 2 injured LOGAR, May 31 – At least four puppets were killed and two others were wounded in blast and directing shooting attack in Pol-e-Alam city, the provincial capital of Logar province in Mohammed Agha district of this province on Monday. A motorcycle was also destroyed in the attack.

Over 8 minions killed in Paktia attacks PAKTIA, May 31 – At least 2 puppets were killed in a bomb attack in Ahmad Khel district of Paktia province.

Early today, Mujahideen attacked the enemy convoy in Laja Mangal district of Paktia province, causing the enemy deadly losses.

In another attack, two policemen were wounded when Mujahideen attacked the enemy posts in Syed Karam district of Paktia province on Monday.

Separately, 6 puppets were killed when a roadside bombing hit and destroyed the enemy tank in Wazi Zadran district of Paktia province.

Enemy installations come under attack PAKTIKA, May 31 – The installation of the district of Zirok with the surrounding checkpoints and a major military base came under Mujahideen attacks in the said district on Monday, exaction immense losses on the enemy.

Later the enemy military convoy came under Mujahideen attacks in which a number of the enemy was damaged but the death and injury toll inflicted on the enemy is unclear.

Similarly, the enemy military cam located in Gomal district of this province came under Mujahideen attack on Monday. There is no information on the enemy death and injury toll.

Bombings kill 4 Arbakis in Paktika PAKTIKA, May 31 – A roadside bomb blast killed two policemen and destroyed their motorcycle in Khair Kot district of Paktika province early today.

In a similar attack, two Arbaki militias were killed in Jani Khel district of this when a roadside bomb blast ripped into their motorcycle they were riding in.

26 commandos, hirelings detained in Kunduz KUNDUZ, May. 31 – 26 Enemy troops travelling in a civilian bus and wearing civilian clothes were detained by Mujahideen of Islamic Emirate during a search operation in Angoor Bagh area of the provincial capital, Kunduz city.

The 26 commando and ANA troops trying to leave via 3 buses were detained with all their documents and later identified via biometric devices whereas the ordinary civilians also travelling with to their respected areas were set free after a brief investigation.

6 detainees trying to run away were killed during pursuit while the rest of the hirelings are still in Mujahideen captivity.

All the detainees are military personnel and not civilians as claimed by the media. Each one has been captured with his documents via a well planned intelligence operation.

———————————————————————————————-

Qari Yousuf Ahmadi

Shahr-e-Safa DHQ attacked, gunman surrenders
ZABUL, May. 31 – Amid ongoing Operation Omari, Mujahideen carried out an attack on Shahr-e-Safa district administration center midnight on Monday, resulting in heavy toll to enemy however the exact number of casualties are unknown at the moment.
A gunman – Hasan s/o of Bakht Muhammad – has left enemy ranks by repenting his mistakes in Manjar village area of Shamulazo district earlier today.
=============================
2 gunmen shot dead by sniper in Nawa
HELMAND, May. 31 – At least 2 policemen were shot and killed on the spot by sniper fire close to Haji Haider Terminal area of Nawa district at 5:00 pm local time on Monday, says officials.
============================
Ambush kills commander along with guard in Gerishk
HELMAND, May. 31 – According to reports a hireling ANP commander – Dewana – was killed along with his guard amid a Mujahideen ambush in the backyard of Geishk police DHQ at noon hours yesterday.
===========================
4 killed as APC destroyed by IED in Boldak
KANDAHAR, May. 31 – A roadside bomb ripped through an enemy APC on Kandahar highway in Nalano area of Boldak district overnight, killing 4 gunmen on the spot.
Later on another APC approaching the scene also came under a Mujahideen attack, resulting in serious toll that are unknown at the moment.
=============================
5 killed and wounded as tank destroyed in Herat
HERAT, May. 31 – At around 6:00 am local time today an enemy convoy came under Mujhideen attack, during which an APC was destroyed an RPG fire leaving 2 gunmen killed and 3 others lethally wounded.
Meanwhile another enemy convoy attacked by Mujahideen close to Lashuk area of Gileran district, however the number of casualties could not be determined yet.
============================
Check post attacked in Ghor
GHOR, May. 31 – Mujahideen attacked Barkhol check post located in the surrounding of Du Lyana district overnight, resulting in serious toll to enemy that is unknown at the moment.

============================

Left, Adnan Rasheed, Key TTP Commander, centre Hilal Ghazi (Ghazi Force) and right, TTP leader Mullah Fazlullah (Still from video)

Pakistan police will no doubt have their hackles raised with the release of a new video, “Shariyat or Shahadah” from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) Umar Media, the subject being the Ghazi Force. The militant organization was formed by Maulana Niaz Raheem following the 2007 Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) siege where government troops stormed what was viewed by the state as a “hardline” mosque and madrassa in Islamabad resulting in over 100 deaths, students and soldiers. The operation led by President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz came under heavy criticism from some quarters, accounts of the seige can be read in the “Links” section at the end of this article.

Ghazi Force was named after cleric Maulana Abdul Rashid Ghazi who was killed during the fighting and recruits were taken from the relatives of those who died during the siege. In 2009 Long War Journal stated, “the Ghazi Force runs a terror training camp in Guljo in the district of Hangu, and is also based in the tribal agency of Arakzai. At the Guljo camp, attendees are trained in the making of explosives, ambushing military units, and light and heavy weapons usage.”

The Nation reported in July 2010,

“The Ghazi Force helped recruit a security official who blew himself up inside the office of the World Food Programme last October, killing five people, according to Imam.
The force also sent a suicide bomber in September 2007 into the mess hall of the commando unit that attacked the Lal Masjid, killing 22 people, he said.
Ghazi Force members may also have been involved in the audacious June 9 attack north of the capital that killed seven people and destroyed 60 vehicles ferrying supplies to NATO and US soldiers next door in Afghanistan, Imam said.”

In January 2015, Economic Times highlighted, “Pakistan police is searching for nearly 300 former students of the Red Mosque after reports that some of them are trying to reactivate the defunct Ghazi Force militant group” however following investigations “almost all of them were cleared” see following link,

“Pakistan police fears reactivation Ghazi Force militant group”

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-01-21/news/58306307_1_red-mosque-pakistan-police-maulana-abdul-aziz

Still from TTP video on Ghazi Force

TTP video

The Taliban video features a fierce threesome. They are Commander Hilal Ghazi, ex student of Jamia Faridia who succeeded Maulana Abdul Rashid Ghazi. Alongside him are former Pakistan Air Force technician and Bannu prison escapee Adnan Rasheed, now a key Commander with TTP plus Mullah Fazlullah, head of TTP and responsible for the attack on Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar in December 2014,

The video begins with images of Maulana Abdul Rashid Ghazi and shows his death during the assault on Lal Masjid. There is a TV interview with Pakistani journalist and news anchor Hamid Mir where two women are interviewed about their experience at the time of attack on the Red Mosque. Film footage is shown of what may be the wife of Maulana Ghazi who speaks strongly regarding the role of women in Islam, how they should behave and dress code.

Later the video moves to show the slain mujahadeen along with their biographical data of where they came from and what they did and how died in the line of duty whether martyrdom attacks  or otherwise (including Maulana Ghazi).

Hilal Ghazi is the central speaker in the video who gives a talk encouraging youth to come and join the Taliban and fight with the Mujahadeen for the enforcement of Sharia and what has been commanded in the Quran and described in Hadith.

The last part features press clippings and mentioning militants achievements of hitting the security forces including GHQ, and other locations. It is a video to show solidarity with Ghazi Force by the Taliban and collectively demonstrates achievements for their common cause.

The video will raise concerns that Ghazi Force with TTP may again be a security threat to Pakistan. This comes at a time when the country is still reeling from the impact of a US drone strike in Balochistan region which targeted and killed Taliban Emir, Mullah Mansour and taxi driver Mohammad Azam whose family are now filing a criminal case. Authorities will anticipate some form of “blowback” following the drone strike but must now be contemplating that military Operation Zarb -e-Asb to clear insurgents from the Tribal Areas may not be quite as successful in eliminating risk as they report.

Links

“Profile: Islamabad’s Red Mosque”

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/6503477.stm

“Musharraf lauds Lal Masjid massacre”

https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2007/07/paki-j13.html

“Obituary: Abdul Rashid Ghazi”

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6281228.stm

“The Ghazi Force: A Threat to Pakistan’s Urban Centers”

https://www.ctc.usma.edu/posts/the-ghazi-force-a-threat-to-pakistan%E2%80%99s-urban-centers

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT 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 is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT 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”.

The late Mullah Mansour 

Post via Islamic Emirate

Statement of condolence, gratitude and allegiance by family of the late Amir ul Mumineen (RA)

The martyrdom of the late Amir ul Mumineen Mullah Akhtar Muhammad Mansoor (may Allah have mercy on him) – who held an esteemed place in the hearts of the Muslim Ummah and to whom many looked for their dreams and hopes – saddened and pained our hearts and the hearts of the Muslim masses. We extend our heartfelt condolences to those affected by his martyrdom and pray to Allah Almighty to accept the martyrdom of the late Amir ul Mumineen (may Allah have mercy on him) and martyrdom of every Shaheed (martyrs), to grant immense rewards to their heirs and bless them with a great return.

We express our deep gratitude for the condolence messages sent or being sent from every Mujahid martyrdom loving family and region. May Allah fulfill their every legitimate desire and realize dreams of establishment of an Islamic system.

We are proud that a scholar and capable person such as Akhundzada Sahib has been chosen to replace the Martyr Mansoor Sahib (may Allah have mercy on him) and believe his selection will heal the deep wound left by Mansoor Shahib’s (may Allah have mercy on him) martyrdom. We declare our allegiance and pledge to obey him in hardship and ease. We also call upon all Mujahideen to pledge their allegiances to Amir ul Mumineen, Sheikhul Hadith Haibatullah Akhundzada Sahib (may Allah protect him) and pray to Almighty Allah to grant him success in his works.

Elder son and brothers of the martyred Amir ul Mumineen

End

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT 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”.

Relatives of “disappeared” gather in a park in Kashmir 2013 to campaign for their loved ones, an ongoing issue in 2016

International Week of the Disappeared

Press Release
28 May, 2016

APDP recommits to struggle and declares new focus for 2016

Every year the st week of the month of May is recognized as the International Week of the Disappeared. This week provides an opportunity to commemorate the disappeared, and acknowledge the struggle of their families. It is also an occasion to recommit to the fundamental right not to be disappeared, the right to know the truth and the right to justice and reparation. It is an occasion to continue to demand that governments sign, ratify and implement the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. The Convention presently has 95 signatories and 52 State parties and has come into force on 23 December 2010. Recently, after Philippines, the government of Thailand ratified the convention and has decided to enact a law criminalizing enforced disappearances.

The Indian State continues to remain in denial of the ongoing international movement against enforced disappearances. It has signed but not ratified the Convention against disappearances. Following the commission of widespread and systematic enforced disappearances, the Indian State has chosen to protect itself and its own forces by disregarding the very existence of the crime itself. APDP has documented 1536 of enforced disappearances. According to conservative estimates, and extrapolating from existing documentation, more than 8000 people have been subjected to enforced disappearances in Jammu and Kashmir since 1989. There are 7000+ unmarked and mass graves in Jammu and Kashmir.

Despite a consistent campaign in Jammu and Kashmir against enforced disappearances for 22 years, no action whatsoever has been taken. No Commission of Inquiry as demanded was set up, no investigations and no prosecutions have been made due to continued legal impunity in Jammu and Kashmir. The connected issue of unmarked and mass graves in Jammu and Kashmir, which was recognized by the State Human Rights Commission [SHRC] in 2011 [2156 graves in three districts of North Kashmir], and the European Parliament in its resolution in July 2008, has not been addressed by the government. The government has refused to accept the recommendations of SHRC for investigations into the unmarked and mass graves. Ongoing complaints by APDP of 3844 unmarked and mass graves in Poonch and Rajouri districts, and 507 cases of enforced disappearances from Baramulla and Bandipora, and 132 cases of enforced disappearance from Banihal, remain pending as the SHRC has become defunct. This is in addition to numerous other complaints in individual cases of enforced disappearances. While the government is constantly concerned with schemes under the garb of “development” and “social welfare”, the issue of enforced disappearances is completely ignored.

Since 2012, through reports and campaigns, APDP has begun concerted work on identifying and shaming State personnel accused of crimes including enforced disappearances. Most recently, in September 2015, APDP was part of a report titled “Structures of Violence…” wherein 333 crimes were analyzed in which 972 alleged perpetrators were identified. Of these 333 crimes, 73 were related to enforced disappearance. Most importantly, this report specifically named and shamed those accused of enforced disappearance. This is an important exercise not just in the legal struggle against enforced disappearance but also as a part of a larger social movement against this crime. While the families of the disappeared spend every day remembering the disappeared, the State actors are moving on with their lives with no sense of shame, guilt or accountability. A part of this important report was also the identifying of 189 accused government gunmen / counter-insurgency forces known as the Ikhwans. Many of these gunmen, never formally associated with but directly controlled, funded and armed by the armed forces, continue to remain in our society despite being accused of crimes including enforced disappearance. One example is that of Ikhwani Rasheed Khan, a commander in the Kupwara area, responsible for reportedly more than scores of killings/disappearances and widespread extortion. Continuing from its past work, APDP today pledges to focus this year on these government gunmen responsible for the crime of enforced disappearance, raise awareness in our society about the role of these gunmen, and continue to support the legal struggles of families before the various courts and also seeking moral accountability from government sponsored gunmen.

The campaign on the Ikhwan is an attempt to turn the spotlight on the crime of enforced disappearance itself and the everyday violence that the families of disappeared face, including by having to live with those responsible for disappearing their loved ones.
Since the federal and state governments of J&K have ignored the plight of more two hundred thousand relatives of the disappeared people, therefore it is the responsibility of international community to intervene and hold the government of India, a claimant for permanent in the UN Security Council, accountable for more than 8000 enforced disappearances in J&K.

Tahira Begum
Spokesperson,
ASSOCIATION OF PARENTS OF DISAPPEARED PERSONS

End

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights/WOT 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”.