URGENT ACTION APPEAL UPDATE
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21 July 2005
Further Information on UA 189/04 (3 June 2004) and
follow-up (14 June 2005) - Fear of torture or ill-
treatment/ fear of death sentence/ fear of safety
PAKISTAN
Diwan Hashmat Hayat
Naheed Hashmat Hayat (f), his wife, UK national
Their five children
Naheed Hashmat Hayat's relatives
Diwan Hashmat Hayat has been attacked by three other
prisoners at Jhelum District Central Jail, Punjab in connection
with the charges of blasphemy he is facing. There are
increased concerns for his safety.
At 10am on 13 July, Diwan Hashmat Hayat was reportedly
attacked by three fellow prisoners with a knife or blade, but
other detainees stopped the attackers before they injured him.
The three assailants reportedly belong to a recognized Islamic
organization called Sipa-e-Sahaba. They have allegedly not
been punished for the attack and remain in the same jail.
There have been a number of previous incidents in Pakistan
in which alleged blasphemers have been killed by inmates and
prison guards.
Diwan Hashmat Hayat has been detained since June 2004
and has been charged with blasphemy after asking a mosque
near his home to make less noise late at night. Under section
295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code, the charge of blasphemy
carries the death penalty. Despite several witnesses, including
the imam or religious leader of the mosque, submitting sworn
statements that no blasphemy took place, the charges against
Diwan Hashmat Hayat have not been dropped.
The wife of Diwan Hashmat Hayat, Naheed Hashmat Hayat,
their five children and Naheed Hashmat Hayat's relatives
have also been threatened because of their relationship to
him. As far as Amnesty International is aware, no measures
have yet been taken to guarantee their safety.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Pakistani Penal Code holds a sentence of death for the
criminal offence of defiling the Prophet Mohammed, stating,
"Whoever by words, either spoken or written or by visible
representation, or by any imputation, innuendo, or
insinuation, directly or indirectly, defiles the sacred name of
the Holy Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) shall be
punished with death, or imprisonment for life, and shall also
be liable to a fine".
However, Pakistan's blasphemy laws are used for reasons
which include religious oppression, professional jealousy,
economic rivalry, political opposition or personal hostility.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals to
arrive as quickly as possible:
- expressing concern for the safety of Diwan Hashmat Hayat,
after he was attacked by fellow prisoners at Jhelum District
Central Jail, Punjab on 13 July;
- expressing concern that the attackers have allegedly not
been punished and remain in the same prison, thus increasing
fears of further attacks;
- calling on the authorities to take immediate steps to
guarantee the safety of Diwan Hashmat Hayat in detention;
- calling for a prompt and impartial investigation into the
attack on Diwan Hashmat Hayat on 13 July, with the results
made public and those responsible brought to justice;
- urging the authorities to review the charges of blasphemy
against Diwan Hashmat Hayat immediately, in the light of
witness statements which disprove allegations of blasphemy;
- calling on the authorities to investigate promptly all
allegations of threats, harassment and intimidation against
Naheed Hashmat Hayat, her children and her relatives;
- calling on the authorities to ensure the safety of Naheed
Hashmat Hayat, her children and relatives, and all witnesses
in the case of Diwan Hashmat Hayat, in accordance with
their wishes.
APPEALS TO:
Minister for the Interior:
Mr. Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao
Room 404, 4th Floor
Block R, Federal Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Fax: 011 92 51 9202624
E-mail: [email protected],
[email protected]
Salutation: Dear Minister
Minister of Law, Justice and Human Rights:
Mr. Muhammad Wasi Zafar
S Block, Pakistan Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Fax: 011 92 51 9202628
E Mail : [email protected]
Salutation: Dear Minister
Chief Minister of Punjab:
Chaudary Pervez Elahi
Chief Minister of Punjab
7 Club Road, G.O.R.I, Lahore, Pakistan
Email: [email protected]
Salutation: Dear Chief Minister
Punjab Inspector General of Prisons:
Khawja Khalid Farooq
Inspectorate of Prisons, Jail Road, Lahore, Pakistan
Fax: 011 92 42 920 0570 (ask in English to switch on the
fax)
Salutation: Dear Inspector General
COPIES TO:
Pakistan High Commissioner in London:
High Commission for Pakistan
35-36 Lowndes Square, London SW1X 9JN, UK
Fax: 011 44 207 6649224
Ambassador Jehangir Karamat
Embassy of Pakistan
2315 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington DC 20008
Fax: 1 202 686 1544
Please send appeals immediately. Check with the
Colorado office between 9:00 am and 6:00 pm, Mountain
Time, weekdays only, if sending appeals after 31 August 2005.
Amnesty International is a worldwide grassroots movement that
promotes and defends human rights.
This Urgent Action may be reposted if kept intact, including
contact information and stop action date (if applicable). Thank
you for your help with this appeal.
Urgent Action Network
Amnesty International USA
PO Box 1270
Nederland CO 80466-1270
Email: [email protected]
http://www.amnestyusa.org/urgent/
Phone: 303 258 1170
Fax: 303 258 7881
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END OF URGENT ACTION APPEAL UPDATE
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