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Date: 6 April 2007
Khawaja Saad Rafique’s arrest is open violation of fundamental freedoms of liberty, movement, speech and expression
Islamabad: The detention of Khwaja Saad Rafique is clear violation of his fundamental freedoms of liberty, movement, speech and expression. Parliamentarian Commissions for Human Rights strongly condemns the arrest of executive member of PCHR, Khawaja Saad Rafique MNA and urge upon the government to immediately release honorable member of National Assembly Khawaja Saad Rafique who has been arrested in the pretext of the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance by order of home department Punjab under Section 3 of MPO.
This was stated members of PCHR during a special meeting of PCHR which was attended by executives of PCHR including Chairman PCHR Mr Riaz Fatyana MNA, Executive Director PCHR Ms Kashmala Traiq MNA,Dr Farid Paracha MNA,Mr Abdul Mujeeb Pirzada MNA.
Khawaja Saad Rafique ,a well known political leader and dynamic member of National Assembly is accused to prejudicial to public safety and maintenance of public order. While many other Protestants who were detained during recent days have been released he is still languishing in Mian wali Jail.
Members expressed their dissatisfaction over this and declared that there is no justification of keeping him behind the bars when many others have been released. Chief Coordinator PCHR, Mr Shafique Chaudhry said that his arrest is a clear violation of the Constitution of Pakistan that enshrines the freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and freedom of movement. Maintenance of public order cannot justify brutal violation of basic rights of the citizens in the country.
Parliamentarians Commissions for Human Rights (PCHR) therefore strongly condemn such arrests and urge to release the detained MNA Khawaja Saad Rafiq as soon as possible. PCHR also urge government to take all possible measures to stop the alleged illegal detentions, torture, and forced disappearance with in the country. Government should opt for dialogue instead of using force. PCHR executives also urged upon the Political leaders to act wisely in this crucial time of national history. They said that in the nation interest of country every political party and civil society actor has to demonstrate responsible behavior and should work for strengthening the rule of law and nation institutions in the country.
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