Document - Pakistan: Further information on: Fear for Safety/"Disappearance"

PUBLIC AI Index: ASA 33/022/2005

17 August 2005

Further Information on UA 111/05 (ASA 33/006/2005, 05 May 2005) and follow-up (ASA 33/014/2005, 8 June 2005) - Fear for Safety/ Disappearance/ New concerns: Torture/ Medical concern

PAKISTAN Ali Nawaz (m) ]

Akhter Nadeem (m) ] Members of the Baloch Students Organization

New name: Dr. Allah Nazar (m) ]

Ali Nawaz, Akhter Nadeem and Dr. Allah Nazar are reportedly being held in a police station in the village of Chandar Maa which is about 25km from the city of Sadiq Abad, Punjab province. They have reportedly been tortured and require medical treatment.

The three, who are all are members of the Baloch Students Organisation, had 'disappeared' since their arrest in Karachi on 25 March, along with four others who were later released. On 13 August they were produced before a court in the city of Sadiq Abad in relation to an alleged case of robbery. They were then returned to the police station in the village of Chandar Maa, where they were able to meet with their families for ten minutes.

The families have reported that all three men were tortured using electric shocks. There is particular concern for Dr. Allah Nazar who is partially paralysed and reportedly unable to speak or recognise anyone as result of being tortured. His family have expressed concern that his injuries may result in complete paralysis unless he receives immediate medical treatment in hospital. However, the authorities have reportedly denied the men access to medical treatment.

The men reportedly appeared again in front of the same court on 17 August in relation to the alleged case of robbery and may possibly be handed over to authorities in Balochistan in connection with another case. Should this happen, there is a risk that they may ‘disappear’ or be subjected to further ill-treatment and torture.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Baloch Students Organisation is a group that is active in highlighting the plight of the Baloch people. They have campaigned on issues including recent allegations of the unlawful killing of villagers by the military in Balochistan. They have also campaigned on the longer standing issue of access to resources such as gas. Balochistan hosts the country’s primary gas installation yet the residents of this province have little access to this resource.

RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in English or your own language:

- expressing concern for the safety of Ali Nawaz, Akhter Nadeem and Dr. Allah Nazar, who are being held in Chandar Maa police station;

- expressing concern at reports that they have been tortured and ill-treated while in custody;

- expressing concern that all three are reportedly in poor health, in particular Dr. Allah Nazar who is partially paralysed and reportedly unable to speak or recognise anyone as result of being tortured;

- calling on the authorities to grant the men immediate access to any medical treatment they may require;

- seeking assurances that they will not be subjected to further torture or ill-treatment;

- calling for an impartial investigation into the alleged torture and ill-treatment of all three men, and into the failure of the Pakistan authorities to disclose where these men were detained following their arrest on 25 March 2005, with the results of the investigation to be made public and those found to be responsible to be brought to justice.

APPEALS TO: (Please note that email addresses in Pakistan can be unreliable. If you receive notification that your message has not been delivered, please re-send your email. If it fails again, please use fax numbers or postal addresses to send your appeal.)

President, Pervez Musharraf

Pakistan Secretariat

Islamabad, Pakistan

Fax: + 92 51 922 1422

E-mail: CE@pak.gov.pk

Salutation: Dear President

Mr. Muhammad Wasi Zafar

Minister of Law, Justice and Human Rights

S Block, Pak. Sect. Islamabad, Pakistan

Fax: + 92 51 920 2628

E-Mail: minister@molaw.gov.pk

Salutation: Dear Minister

Chief Minister of Punjab

Chaudary Pervez Elahi

7 Club Road, G.O.R.I, Lahore, Pakistan

Email: home@punjab.gov.pk

Salutation: Dear Chief Minister

COPIES TO:

Governor of Balochistan

Awais Ghani

Governor House

Quetta, Balochistan, Pakistan

Fax: + 92 81 920 2178 / 2992

Salutation: Dear Governor

and to diplomatic representatives of Pakistan accredited to your country.

PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY. Check with the International Secretariat, or your section office, if sending appeals after 28 September 2005.