‘Illegal detention’ of HRCP chief censured as workers protest

The National Trade Union Federation (NTUF), the Home-Based Women Workers Federation (HBWWF) and Alternate held a demonstration outside the Karachi Press Club to protest against the allegedly illegal detention of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) Chairperson Asad Iqbal Butt.

Workers and human rights representatives participated in the protest and censured the allegedly undemocratic and unconstitutional actions of the police.

They demanded legal action against the officers involved and the immediate dismissal of the Gulberg SHO. They also demanded the recovery of Comrade Rehman Baloch, who has allegedly been missing since July 24.

HBWWF General Secretary Zahra Khan demanded a thorough investigation into the allegedly illegal detention, and the dismissal of the officers involved to prevent future violations.

She claimed that state institutions are attempting to suppress voices advocating for human rights, which is a clear violation of the constitution and human rights.

She also claimed that on July 25 HRCP chief Butt was arrested without any legal justification by the officers of the Gulberg police station, and detained for almost four hours, causing significant concerns among human rights activists.

Moreover, she mentioned the alleged disappearance of Baloch on July 24, which has also caused great concerns among human rights activists.

She claimed that state and government institutions’ violent and illegal practices have been forcing people across the country, especially in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, to fight for their rights on the streets.

Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) General Secretary Saeed Baloch claimed Butt’s alleged detention was a violation of the constitution, and such actions are causing increasing anger among the public, posing a threat to the government.

He demanded strict and complete investigations against those responsible, and warned of nationwide protests if their demands are not met.

Aqib Hussain, an organiser from Alternate, claimed that the state’s actions have incited significant anger among the youth. Progressive organisations’ youth from across the country have strongly reacted to the alleged arrest of Butt, he said.

He demanded that the interior minister immediately take notice of the incident, and dismiss the Gulberg Town SHO. He emphasised that such allegedly illegal actions must be immediately stopped, while people should be granted their constitutional rights. He also called for the immediate recovery of Baloch.

Workers on the occasion demanded a complete investigation into Butt’s allegedly illegal detention, and strict action against the police officers involved, including the dismissal of the Gulberg Town SHO.

They also demanded protection for those voicing their concerns against alleged human rights violations, and the immediate recovery of Baloch and other allegedly missing persons.

The protest was also attended by Comrade Usman Baloch, the Jeay Sindh Mahaz’s Khaliq Junejo, Comrade Wahid Baloch, intellectual and professor Asghar Dasti, Comrade Akram Baloch, the NTUF’s Riaz Abbasi, the PFF’s Fatima Majid and Talib, climate activist Shabbar Zaidi, Advocate Ahsan, the HBWWF’s Saira Feroze, Aini and Parveen Bano, Alternate’s Bilawal, Kashif Abbasi, the Textile & Garment Union’s Himmat Ali and Iqbal Abro, Shehzad Mughal, Faiza Siddiqui, Waqas Qureshi, social and political activist Syed Noor Hussain and others.