Endorsing the need for using effective force to fight terrorism in NWFP, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has called upon the authorities to avoid aggravating the already unbearable plight of the civilian population.
In a statement issued here on Thursday, the HRCP Chairperson, Asma Jahangir said that the human rights situation in Swat was alarming and was getting worse day by day. She said that HRCP was shocked and grieved at the loss of life as a result of firing by security forces on a crowd that was only drawing attention to their unbearable suffering.
She also said that according to the information available to the HRCP, it had been revealed that the situation in Swat was harrowing for more than one reason.
Moreover, the population is facing a serious threat from militants while disruption of electricity, gas and water supply and shortage of edibles have compounded their misery.
Demonstrating in Mingora in such a situation, was just an exhibition of courage and despair of the people of Swat that deserves to be respected and not be fired at, Asma said. Reports about militants having been able to strengthen their domination in the areas under Matta, Khawazakhela and Kabal police stations, fuelled a sense of anguish among the local community and the authorities themselves appeared to be skeptical about the outcome of the operation, she said.
Almost everywhere the people are astounded by the inability of the law enforcement agencies to track the apparently unhindered movement of the militants. The ordeal of Swat people can be judged from the killing of at least three individuals identified as Abdul Kabeer Khan, Musa Khan and Muhammad Amin for their affiliation with the government.
Asma referred to an incidence where the victim, brother of a sitting minister, resisted the militants throughout the night and consistently called for help but his cries went unheeded. Eventually, he and his family were mercilessly slaughtered. In another horrible incidence, a child was killed in front of the eyes of father, before he himself was killed.
The HRCP called for investigation into such cases and demanded justice for the families of the victim. 'The HRCP believes that such killings do not enjoy any religious sanction and their perpetrators deserve to be dealt with strong hand collectively,' the human rights activist said. She also said that these elements themselves are responsible for inviting use of force against them. However, it is necessary to control the cost of operation to the civilian population and the internally displaced persons need to be rehabilitated with diligence and sincerity, she maintained.
Further, the HRCP believes it is right time to seek the help of the UNHCR and the ICRC in mitigating the suffering of the displaced people, As ma said adding that this also applies to displaced persons in other parts of the country.
'There is no doubt about the fact that hardship caused to non-combatant population and perception of using disproportionate force targeting militants and civilians alike, will create more problems instead of solving them.