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idden zones. Already the information coming out of these areas is scanty and
sketchy and the people have difficulty in properly responding to whatever
goes on in the country. The situation cannot be improved until the state helps
intrepid journalists to cover the hot spots. Thus, while taking action against
the culprits involved in violence against journalists the government must give
due priority to improving the latter’s security.”
Freedom of belief and religion / sectarianism
January 16: HRCP condemned an attack on a Chehlum procession
targeting Shia Muslims in Khanpur and said that sympathetic attitudes towards
religious extremism in all institutions of the state were responsible for the
failure to confront the menace of sectarian terrorism. It said that the police
actions that follow brazen targeting of religious events stand little chance of
stemming the tide of sectarian killings on their own. While paying attention to
symptoms of the malaise was important, sectarian violence continued in Pakistan
because the cause was left unaddressed, the commission said, adding: “that
happens because nearly all institutions of the state have a soft corner for
religious extremism and they are certainly not keen to deal with it according to
the law. In this environment the bloodletting will not stop.” HRCP welcomed
the fact that the leader of at least one religious-political party had condemned
the killings in Khanpur and hoped that other parties and groups, especially the
religious ones, would also not have any reason to hesitate in condemning this
act of terrorism. “It is of vital importance that all segments of society that
believe in tolerance play their role in unison to expose the passive response to
such barbaric brutalities and also the reasons for that. But the state must allow
the citizens due space to register their concerns and wishes. Any delay in
taking decisive action amounts not only to negligence but complicity. The
state must also reach out to the affected community in a manner that
demonstrates its concern and shame in failing to protect citizens’ lives and try
to promote tolerance after having tried the opposite for so long,” the Commission
concluded.
March 1: HRCP called upon the government to use the military wherever
it was necessary for putting an end to sectarian violence in the country and
called for an impartial probe to apprehend those behind an attack on a Gilgitbound
bus in which 18 Shia men were killed. It welcomed the army chief’s
offer to help investigate the brazen killings by attackers who were reported to
be in military uniforms. HRCP said: “There are two aspects to it, the more
important one being that the military has considerable presence in the area
where the attack took place and the frequent occurrence of sectarian violence
there demands that the civil authority and the military join hands to ensure
effective protection and prevention strategies.” HRCP demanded that the tragic
attack on the bus passengers should be probed by an impartial and independent
authority, along with the series of sectarian attacks in the last 10 years, to
bring the perpetrators to justice. It called upon the government to redouble
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State of Human Rights in 2012