(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC is seriously concerned for the safety of Afghan writer Esmat Qaney and his publisher Mustafa Sahar following their identification as “apostates” by Taliban religious leaders for the publication of a collection of Qaney’s short stories. This has led to death threats against the two men. International PEN is seriously concerned about […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC is seriously concerned for the safety of Afghan writer Esmat Qaney and his publisher Mustafa Sahar following their identification as “apostates” by Taliban religious leaders for the publication of a collection of Qaney’s short stories. This has led to death threats against the two men. International PEN is seriously concerned about the number of attacks on and threats against Afghan writers and journalists living in exile in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan in recent years, who appear to be targeted for the peaceful expression of their opinions.
According to the WiPC’s information, the decree was issued against writer Qaney and publisher Sahar in August 2000 for Qaney’s collection of short stories “Zeera Ra Wastawai Khair Yusai” (Send Charity, God Bless You). The Taliban authorities apparently consider the book an attempt to “insult religious leaders”, and to be “…solely against the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan”. According to the decree, “the author is apostate in accordance with the decree of Allah, and the publisher has also played a part in this crime…” . All copies of the book were reportedly seized by the Taliban and burned outside Qandahari mosque in Quetta.
The stories reportedly refer to Taliban religious leaders, and Qaney had spoken personally to the Minister for Information and Culture of Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, prior to the book’s publication to seek his approval. The book has been banned inside Afghanistan.
Qaney, 39, is an established writer, having published eleven other books of fiction. He fled Afghanistan’s Zabal Province in 1980, and now lives in Quetta. His writings have previously been considered to be against Islamic teachings, and his novel “The Fifth Marriage” was burned by the government of Burhanuddin Rabbani in Kabul prior to the Taliban’s rule.
Qaney has now reportedly fled Quetta in fear for his safety, leaving his family behind. He is currently in hiding in the North West Frontier Province.
Qaney’s publisher, Sahar, an Afghan national living in Peshawar, has reportedly received death threats since the decree was issued. For security reasons he has stopped going to his publishing house, and his wife (who is a teacher) and children have stopped going to school. Sahar reportedly lodged an FIR (First Information Report) with the Peshawar police on 9 September.
Background Information
During the past few years, over a dozen Afghan intellectuals living as refugees in Pakistan have been assassinated, and many more have received death threats. These attacks are all believed to have been politically motivated.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– expressing grave concern for the safety of writer Qaney and publisher Sahar, and urging that they receive effective protection from attack immediately
– urging them to take decisive action to end the harassment and intimidation of Afghan writers and journalists living in exile in northern Pakistan, in accordance with Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Appeals To
APPEALS TO:General Pervez Musharraf
Chief Executive
National Security Council
General Block, Pakistan Secretariat,
Islamabad, Pakistan
Fax: +92 51 922 4768Muhammad Shafiq
Governor of the North Western Frontier Province (NWFP)
Governor’s House
Peshawar, PakistanIf possible please copy appeals to the diplomatic representative for Pakistan in your country.
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
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