(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC of International PEN condemns the murder of author Fazal Wahab on 21 January 2003. Wahab was shot dead on 21 January by four armed men in the hill resort of Mingora, in North-West Frontier Province. Wahab, whose work was critical of radical Islamic clerics, had reportedly received death threats. However, in […]
(WiPC/IFEX) – The WiPC of International PEN condemns the murder of author Fazal Wahab on 21 January 2003.
Wahab was shot dead on 21 January by four armed men in the hill resort of Mingora, in North-West Frontier Province. Wahab, whose work was critical of radical Islamic clerics, had reportedly received death threats. However, in spite of informing the police, he was not provided with any extra protection. Wahab is believed to have caused local anger with his controversial writings. In 2000, his book “Mullah ka Kirdar” (“The Mullah’s Role”) was banned amid protests, and local clerics issued a religious ruling declaring him a “non-believer.” In 2002, he published a book critical of Osama bin Laden and Taliban rule in Afghanistan.
Local police say a murder case has been filed and an inquiry has begun, but so far no one has been arrested. However, Pakistan’s Human Rights Commission, which has launched a separate investigation into Wahab’s murder, has reportedly stated that the police have taken no action to find his killers or to protect his family from further attacks.
The WiPC recalls that Pakistan, as a member of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, was party to resolution 2002/79 passed by the United Nations Commission on Human Rights concerning impunity, and as such is encouraged to abide by its tenets. This resolution “urges States to give necessary attention to the question of impunity for violations of international human rights and humanitarian law”; and “also emphasises the importance of taking all necessary and possible steps to hold accountable perpetrators, including their accomplices, of violations of international human rights and humanitarian law”.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
– condemning Wahab’s murder
– expressing concern that Wahab may have been targeted solely for the peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression as guaranteed by Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights
– welcoming the instigation of an investigation into his murder by Pakistan’s Human Rights Commission
– expressing alarm at reports of a lack of police action on the case
– urging the Pakistani authorities to ensure that a full and impartial investigation is conducted, and that Wahab’s killers be brought to justice in line with United Nations Commission on Human Rights resolution 2002/79 on impunity
Appeals To
President Pervez Musharraf
Office of the President
Constitution Avenue
Islamabad, Pakistan
Fax: +92 51 920 3938 / 920 1968 / 811 390You may wish to ask the diplomatic representative for Pakistan in your country to forward your appeals. It would also be advantageous to ask your country’s diplomatic representatives in Pakistan to intervene in the case.
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
