Lawyers in Pakistan Protest; Philippines Journalists Abducted by al-Qaida Linked Militant Group; India’s Human Rights Record Questioned

By Julie K. Narimatsu
Impunity Watch Managing Editor-Journal

KARACHI, Pakistan – After Pakistani President Musharraf removed several senior judges last November in conjunction with imposing emergency rule and after a landmark election that brought opposition leaders to the forefront, thousands of judges, lawyers, and other activists are out in the streets calling for the return of these judges to their respective posts. The rally began in Karachi and is expected to travel cross-country and end up in the capital city of Islamabad by the end of the week.

Several opposition parties have voiced their support for the protests. Protestors insist on immediate performance of the promises made by opposition parties to reinstate these judges once elected. The commitment ensured reinstatement within 30 days of parliament’s first session, however, it has been five weeks since this deadline and no judge has yet returned to their post.

While the major parties agree that the judges should be reinstated, they disagree on exactly how it should be done, with one party desiring reinstatement via executive order and the other demanding constitutional changes that would simultaneously diminish the president’s power.

For more information, please see:

CNN - Pakistan lawyers march for fired judges – 9 June 2008

VOA.com - Pakistani Lawyers Prepare Cross-Country March for Ousted Judges – 9 June 2008

BBC - Pakistan lawyers in 'long march' – 9 June 2008

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MANILA, Philippines – A reporter and two cameramen from Manila are reported to have been abducted by militant group, Abu Sayyaf, believed to be linked to al-Qaida. The team was in Maimburg township to cover a story at the request of a university professor. While police are ready to begin negotiations with the abductors, they have not received any word on ransom details or the whereabouts of the kidnapped.

While the group’s size has lessened over the years, its attacks continue. The group ultimately desires independence and a state for its Muslin minority separate from the Philippines. Philippine officials assert that the group has previously received financial support from al-Qaida.

For more information, please see:

International Herald Tribune - Suspected al-Qaida-linked militants abduct 3-person TV team in Philippines – 9 June 2008

Sun Star - Ces Drilon, tv crew abducted by Abus – 9 June 2008

Inquirer.net - TV reporter, crew kidnapped in Sulu, police say – 9 June 2008

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NEW DELHI, India – In its annual report on human rights, international watchdog, Amnesty International, has asserted that India’s human rights record is lacking, especially in the northeastern states of Jammu and Kashmir. They cited the use of torture, the instances of unexplained death of the detained, and abductions. Specific charges accuse the Indian government of using unwarranted violence for the sake of development, using the war on terror as a screen to violate human rights, refusing to ban the death penalty after a UN resolution called for such a moratorium, and rebuffing the United Nations attempts to send in a special rapporteur to investigate reports of torture and enforced disappearances.

While government officials claim that there have been no disappearances since November, 2007, several human rights groups assert that at least nine people disappeared in 2007. Further, the report condemns the significant amount of troops located near the Pakistani border, claiming that the sheer number of troops suggests suppression of the people, rather than the targeting of militants.

While India is currently enjoying a significant economic boom, hundreds of millions continue to suffer in poverty. Published just ahead of the 60^th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, India is not the only country to be noted, but Amnesty International notes the fact that Asia remains the only region “that does not have an overarching human rights instrument.”

For more information, please see:

The Daily Times - ‘India lags behind on human rights front’ – 29 May 2008

Pakistan Observer - Amnesty targets India again – 31 May 2008

The Times of India - Amnesty raps 'role model' India for human rights abuse – 29 May 2008