Defend Pakistani socialist Tariq Mehmood!

Submitted by AWL on 25 August, 2009 - 2:35 Author: Farooq Tariq, Labour Party Pakistan

On 9th August 2009, Tariq Mehmood, a human rights activists and general secretary Labour Party Pakistan Toba Tek Singh district, issued a press release to the journalists in Toba Tek Singh. He alleged that eight Christian women were raped by Muslim fanatics in the 28 July attack on Korian, a village in Gojra Tehsil. He also alleged that 40 women are still missing. Condemning this horrific act, he demanded the government investigate the case/ On the accusation of “blasphemy” over 60 houses were burnt by Muslim fanatics. This act then led to an attack on Gojra, a Christian community, where nine were burnt alive.

On 10th August, the First Investigation Report (FIR) was registered by Gojra police. Tariq was invited by the Toba Tek Singh district police officer for “talks” but as he arrived, he was arrested. Several serious charges have been brought against him including 7 ATA (Anti Terrorist Act) and 13 MPO. He was brought before the court of an anti-terrorist judge in Faisalabad and the police asked for a physical remand. The judge denied the remand but sent him to a Toba Tek Singh jail on judicial remand.

One interesting fact is that a press release became the trigger for the police to immediately move against the person who spoke out in defense of those who were treated unlawfully.

Who is Tariq Mehmood?

Mehmood is a young activist of 24 from the village of Basti Danishmandan in the Toba Tek Singh district. Active with Labour Party Pakistan for five years, he is also an official representative of the district’s Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. He has been active in the social and labour movements and has brought thousands of youth, brick kiln workers, and public employees onto the streets of Toba Tek Singh over violations of human rights. Tariq has been women who have been sexually assaulted, tortured or subjected to violence following “choice” marriages. He has publically condemned Muslim fanatics when they attacked a village of Ahmadies.

In fact, Tariq Mehmood and his comrades have been on the backbone of every battle involving the working class. He helped rebuilt the movement of Bhatta (brick kiln) workers. Thousands have been in the streets demanding an end of bonded labour and the Pershgi (advance) system. He has helped the textile workers, shoemakers, and public employees in their struggle for a better life. This brave young man was followed by intelligence agencies and fanatics all the time. Yet he refused to stop his activities in support of minorities and the working class. Because of his consistent voice in support of minorities, many fanatics labeled him as a Christian not a Muslim.

The Gojra Incident

In the Korian village, Tariq Mehmood and his comrades were first to arrive at the spot where I the incident occurred and gathered first-hand information. He immediately issued a press release and condemned the action of Muslim fanatics. He helped many journalists outside the district cover the story. He also played an important role, along with his party members and Christian youth leaders, in blockading the train service by bringing the seven bodies in to protest and demand a case registered against District Police Office and District Coordination officer. This was international news and the protesters blocked the railway line for several hours until the government was forced accept the demand. In a very unusual act, the police registered a case against their top police and administrative officers for failing to protect the lives of Christians. The DCO and DPO were called back from their duties; a judge of Lahore High Court is now investigating the case.

The police and administration were looking an excuse to attack Mehmood and other LPP activists in the district. Instead of looking into the allegation of rape and the disappearance of Christian women, the police arrested him on charges that can lead to a death sentence. The journalists are also angry with him. Most are saying that when Christian community leaders are not bringing these allegations of rape and disappearances, why should Tariq Mehmood do that? The normal practice, for a press release of this nature is that journalists would investigate the changes. They have all the right not to print it and even say these were false charges. Instead the press release was handed over to police, who have taken a very drastic action.

The Labour Party Pakistan demands the immediate release of Tariq Mehmood and calls on the government to check the facts if women were raped and others disappeared. The LPP will not let this incident go unnoticed. We have launched an international campaign for the release of Tariq Mehmood.

Please sign the following and send it to the addresses below

Subject: release Tariq Mehmood, a human rights activist arrested in Toba Tek Singh

Honorable Prime Minister,

Islamic Republic of Pakistan,

Dear Sir,

We wish to draw your attention to the illegal and totally unnecessary arrest of Tariq Mehmood, a well- known human rights activist and general secretary Labour Party Pakistan in Toba Tek Singh. Today, the 11th August, is being commemorated as the Day of Minorities in Pakistan. It is ironic to note that such a staunch defender of the rights of minorities should have been arrested on a day officially dedicated to the rights of minorities. Meanwhile the perpetrators of violence against innocent Christians of Gojra remain at large.

It is even more reprehensible that the Toba Tek Singh Police has framed absurd charges of terrorist activities against a peaceful and conscientious activist who risked his life to defend poor victims of religious intolerance.

He has consistently highlighted the case of the brutal burnings to death that occurred in Gojra. He has also been demanding the arrest of those responsible for the killings. On 6 August, he was targeted and threatened by a group of religious fundamentalist at a press conference in Toba Tek Singh. Instead of protecting those who are in forefront of a fight against religious extremism, the police are arresting them.

We demand Tariq Mehmood be released immediately and a probe launched into police behavior that has led to the unnecessary arrest of a human rights activist.

Please email and fax the appeal to the following email addresses

Mr. Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani
Prime Minister of Pakistan
Prime Minister House
Islamabad, PAKISTAN
Fax: + 92 51 9221596
E-mail: secretary@cabinet.gov.pk

Please send a copy to all the following addresses

Minister for Interior
R Block Pak Secretariat
Islamabad , PAKISTAN
Tel: +92 51 9212026
Fax: +92 51 9202624

E-mail: ministry.interior@gmail.com

or

interior.complaintcell@gmail.com

Mr. Mian Shahbaz Sharif
Chief Minister of Punjab
H-180 Model Town
Lahore , PAKISTAN
Fax: +92 42 5881383

Minister of Law
Government of Punjab
Punjab Secretariat
Ravi Road
Lahore , PAKISTAN
E-mail: law@punjab.gov.pk

Chief Secretary of Government of Punjab
Punjab Secretariat
Lahore , PAKISTAN
Fax: +92 42 7324489
E-mail: chiefsecy@punjab.gov.pk

Farooq Tariq

Spokesperson
Labour Party Pakistan
40-Abbot Road Lahore, Pakistan
Tel: 92 42 6315162 Fax: 92 42 6271149 Mobile: 92 300 8411945

**

labour party@yahoo.com
www.laborpakistan.org
www.jeddojuhd.com"

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