WUNRN
Asian Human Rights Commission http://www.humanrights.asia/news/forwarded-news/AHRC-FAT-015-2011 -
April 12, 2011
Centre for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement (CLAAS)
Ms.
Tina aged 28 d/o Barkat, Christian by faith and resident of. She has six
siblings Samuel 35-year,
Nasreen 32-yers-old,
Rebecca 30-
year-old,
and Saira 21-year-old
(Adopted). Tina belong to a strong believe Christian family. Her father is a
very active member of the church and elder of the church committee while her
mother has been expired many years. Tina’s family was the only Christian family
living among the Muslim community. She was master in arts and teaching as an
art teacher in a school nearby her house. She was well known in surrounding due
to her art work especially making drawing. According to Tina she was very
polite towards her students. Once a Muslim girl Sobia from the locality come to
her and requested Tina to help her to prepare her practical copies (schoolwork)
for her matriculation exams. Tina become agreed to help her because it was an
art work.
Tina noticed that Sobia began to visit her repeatedly, and become a bosom
friend; Tina also got involved and often visits her at her home, and ignored
her family just because of her friend. With the passage of time Sobia started
to invite Tina to embrace Islam and told her that Islam is complete code of
life, therefore not only Tina but all her family should embrace Islam. Tina
always took it lightly and ignored Sobia’s invitation.
Talking to CLAAS Tina told that whenever she went to visit Sobia she shared
religious issues with her and tried to convince her embrace Islam. Once Tina
went to visit Sobia and find that her maternal uncle (a fanatic) was also there
and started to share Quranic Verses with Tina. Later Sobia took Tina to her
uncle’s place where they started to force her to convert in to Islam. Tina
wanted to go back to her home but she was late therefore she was frightened
from the beating of her father and brothers then she preferred to go her
maternal aunt at Joseph Colony Shad Bag Lahore. On the other hand Tina’s family
was worried about her and searching for her in surroundings for which they were
failed. Tina’s father went to Sobia’s house and asked her about his daughter
but she did not tell about where she is. Tina’ s family became worried for her;
meanwhile her aunt told Tina’s father by telephonically that Tina is safe her
home, and then her father took her back to home. According to Tina, her father
and other family members tried to provide her a good and changed environment,
therefore they sent her at her maternal uncle’s place, and during this time
they were praying for her. After few days when she came back she again went to
visit Sobia and then made it routine.
Once again she was trapped by Sobia and her uncle during she was on visit to
her, Tina could not go back to her home because she has had been forcefully
kept at Sobia’s place. Tina was forced to embrace Islam and after that she was
married to a Muslim man Qasir Javiad with the concern of Sobia’s uncle and
parents. Tina’s father went to Sobia’s parents for several times and asked for
her but they did not allow her to go back to her parent because now she was a
Muslim. Out of this wedlock she has two children named Meerab Javaid aged 2 and
Tameen aged 8. According to Tina after few days of her marriage she felt that
her husband as well as in-laws does not have good behavior towards
her. Qasir started to beat her even on trifle matters and has made her life
miserable. She told CLAAS that one week ago her husband gave her severe
beatings and expelled her out form the house. She told that due to her cruel
behavior, mental and physical torture a severe hatred has developed in her
heart against her husband and she will prefer to die rather than to live with
Qasir as his Muslim wife. Therefore she does not want to live with her husband
anymore and wants to get divorce through legal
procedure. Talking to CLAAS Tina said that her husband and other family members
are pressurizing her father and other family members. They have also registered
a report in the police station that her parents have kidnapped her because they
were not happy due to her conversion in to Islam, and want to make her
Christian again. Police took Tina’s father to the police station and started to
harass this poor family to search Tina and said that if Tina did not come back
to his husband she would have to face severe consequences.
Thus she came to know about CLAAS and approached for legal, assistance and
protection, and wanted to file a suit for dissolution of marriage through
CLAAS. Tina also requested CLAAS to file a harassment petition in the court
against local police and her in-laws for the safety and protection of
her father and siblings because her husband wanted to take her back. Through
the High court
Shazia aged 19 d/o Inayat Masih, Christian by
faith and a resident of village Amin Pur Khurd Dakkhana Gill Walla Tehsil
Wizarabad District Gujranwala -
Shazia and Mehmood succeed in their plan and abscond from the Church. When her
parents came to know all about and worried. The family was doubtful and
therefore enquired from Razia about Shazia. The family tried their level best
to know whereabouts of Shazia but failed. Few days after Talib Husain, a local
resident told Shakeel Masih (Shazia’s brother) that he has seen Shazia, Chak
Tanaza, Mauza Luqman, Meeroke, Tehsil Arif Walla, District Pakpattan Sharif in
Mahmood Khan’s house. To follow the above mentioned address Shakeel Masih along
with other relatives went to the said area for Shazia’s recovery. Mahmood Khan
told them that their sister has embraced Islam and now she was a Muslim woman
and they have got married. They are not eligible to take her because they are
non-Muslim
and how come take a Muslim woman in their house. Shakeel Masih exasperated and
threatened Mahmood Khan for dire consequences. Later Mehmood agreed to give the
custody of Shazia and demanded the expenses which he has made on marriage.
Shazia realized that Mehmood was a Muslim and wants divorce from Mehmood.
Shazia also admitted that she was deceived by Razia and took a wrong step. Now
Shazia is seeking divorce and approached CLAAS office for legal assistance.
CLAAS legal advisor Mr. Tahir Bashir, advocate High Court is pursuing the case
at the court of sessions
Sidra Bibi aged 14, d/o Sarwar Masih,
Christian by faith and a resident of Basti Christian Nagar, District
Sheikhupura -
On August 28, 2009, the day of the incident she went out in the open fields at
05:00 a.m. for some lavatory needs (villages used to go out for their lavatory
needs in fields etc). When she was in the fields she saw Khalid, who was
already standing there along with two unknown persons armed with deadly
weapons. Khalid stopped her and threatened for the dire consequences if she
makes noise and will be killed. The all three men forcibly abducted her on gun
point and later took her to
On December 20, 2009 she registered a first information report under section
365/B of the Pakistan Penal Code at Manawala Police Station. The police did not
take the matter seriously and fever the accused and refused to take action against
perpetrators. Therefore after their time and again visits at the police station
the victim family approached CLAAS office for legal assistance. Presently Mr.
Tahir Gull Sadiq Advocate of High Court pursuing her case in the court.
On
March 6, 2010 at 7:00 p. m a house maid Samina Ayub aged 17 was suspiciously
missed from her work place. ”After finishing her work at Chaudhary Mohammad
Khalid Cheema’s house Samina was kidnapped by Ali Akbar when she was on the way
to home” Surriya Bibi said. Samina Ayub lived along with her mother Surriya
Bibi and Aunt Bina Bibi at Model Town Lahore. Her father was in Masqat (abroad)
due to his work. She was the only daughter of her parents. Afterwards she
informed to her mother Surriya Bibi that Ali Akbar forcedly picked-up.
First he forcedly converted her in to Islam and she was given a new name as
Fatima Bibi and secondly forcedly married with her under Islamic rites on March
06, 2010. She further told to her mother that she did not wanted to live with
him because he forbid her to meeting with parents but she to come back in the
family. Her mother also told CLAAS that she has got registered kidnapping case
FIR No. 98/2010 offense under section 365-B of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC)
against Ali Akbar in the police station Model Town Lahore but police did not
take any legal action against the accused. “I never visited Cheema’s house but
Samina told that Ali Akbar often come to owner’s house and tried to talk to
her” said Surriya Bibi. It’s about 6 months that police is not only failed to
recover his daughter but also failed to arrest accused Ali Akbar said Ayub
Masih. Ayub Masih told to CLAAS that he lived in a small Town of district Kasur
along with his wife Suriaya Bibi and daughter Samina. Four years ago due to
some domestic dispute, Suriaya Bibi went to her parent’s place and left Samina
with her father. Ayub Masih could not look after his daughter properly
therefore he left Samina with his younger sister Bina Bibi at Model Town
Lahore. Bina Bibi worked at Cheema’s house and lived in the servant quarter in
the same house.
Soon after quarrel Ayub left abroad, Masqat
and since Samina was living along with her aunt and helped her in her work at
Cheema’s house. Samina lived about four years with her aunt therefore aunt
started to depend on her and sent Samina to work at Cheema’s house. After four
years Ayub Masih was back to
CLAAS filed habeas corpus petition for the recovery of Samina Bibi (given
Muslim name as Fatima Bibi) and also filed a petition for the registration of
FIR &
fair and impartial investigation. After registration CLAAS also contested the
pre-arrest
bail of Ali Akbar and the court dismissed his bail. Instead of supporting
parents Samina Bibi (given Muslim name as Fatima Bibi) filed a writ petition on
July 28, 2010 for Quashment (cancellation) of FIR registered by her parents
against her husband Ali Akbar, which was quashed in her favor on August 05,
2010. Later Samina Bibi (given Muslim name as Fatima Bibi) also recorded her
statement in which she admitted that she is living with Ali Akbar, her husband
with her own will and her parents are harassing her. Therefore the court
ordered to the parents that Samina Bibi (given Muslim name as Fatima Bibi) and
her husband Akbar Ali shall not be subjected to any harassment.
Ms.
Uzma d/o Babar Sardar, a Christian by faith and resident of Gulberg, Lahore
abducted by her Muslim neighbored Vicky Butt s/o Majeed Butt along with three
of his accomplice on April 08, 2010. According to Babar Sardar and his wife
Maria Bibi (victim’s father and mother) they are only Christian family living
among the Muslim masses at the locality. They usually worshiped together on the
daily basis in the morning. While the neighbored Muslim families always tried
to stop them from worship and claimed as they were disturbed due to their
noise. Maria further told CLAAS that about a week before the said incident,
there was a cross conversation took place between her elder son Chand aged 20
with Vicky aged 22 s/o Majeed Butt neighbored over some religious issues.
Finally Vicky said to Chand, “Stop to worship loudly, because their loud voice
of worship always disturbing them”. Chand replied that “how he can object them
from worshiping as it is their fundamental right to offer prayers according to
their religion or belief. In addition Chand come back with him that Muslim’s
Mollana (the prayer leader in a mosque) through loud speaker disturbs everyone
five times daily in a day when they offer their prayers. After hearing these
remarks Vicky became furious and threatened Chand for dire consequences. Maria
Bibi further stated that on April8, 2010, at about 11:00 p.m. Babar was out of
home for some urgent work and her sons were also out for visit to some
relatives. Vicky entered her house forcefully along with his three other Muslim
friends armed with deadly weapons and started breaking and shattering the house
belongings while Vicky started misbehaving with her and threatens that if she
will tell anybody they will shoot to death all family. Vicky also made a taunt
and said that now “call your God for help to whom you worship loudly and
regularly, if he can save you, for whom you are disturbing others”. Finally
Vicky holds Uzma aged 15 and forced her on gun point to walk off with them
Maria told CLAAS.
Uzma started shouting and refused to go with Vicky, but he began to beat
dragged and abducted her forcibly. She was helpless and could nothing to do for
her daughter’s safety, immediately she made a telephone call to her husband
Babar and shared the whole incident. Babar rushed to home and went to Vicky’s
house for his daughter back but found the house was locked. Babar approached
Vicky’s paternal uncle Hafiz Butt and told him that Vicky and his friends have
abducted his daughter Uzma on gun point. Hafiz Butt informed Babar Sardar that
his daughter has embraced Islam on April 09, 2010. Babar was shocked and become
very disappointed, he requests to Hafiz please not convert his daughter in to
Islam and returned her back to him but Hafiz ignored his requests prayer and
kicked Babar out from the house. Babar told CLAAS that when they again went to
Hafiz Butt in the morning and asked about their daughter, he said that now she
is a Muslim and has no connection with Churra’s (a specific word Muslims use
for Christians to show their hatred for them) her Christian parents or family,
why they are demanding her back. According to Babar, he and his wife had been
asking for several times to Hafiz Butt and his brother Majeed Butt (Vicky’s
father) repeatedly to meet their daughter. Instead of meeting of the aggrieved
family with their daughter the accused person also invited the aggrieved
parents to embrace Islam and forced them that embracing Islam is only way for
them to meeting with their daughter. Babar also told CLAAS that the last time
he went with his wife to Hafiz Butt and humbly requested that they wish to
visit their daughter once if she will tell them that she is Muslim by her own
will, they will never come again to visit her, but Hafiz become aggressive and
made a call to a Molvi (religious leader) to convert Babar and Maria in to
Islam forcibly. Babar said to Hafiz that they are strong believers of “Jesus
Christ” and would like to die rather than to embrace Islam. According to Babar
Sardar he also approached police station to get registered a case of kidnapping
as well as forced conversion of his daughter, against Vicky and his family. But
police did not ready to entertain me and not interested to take any legal
action against that accused Muslim family without bribe money of Rs. 20,000/- PKR
rupees registration of the case. Babar Sardar said he was helpless to manage
the demanded amount because he is a poor.
Finally Babar Sardar and his wife Maria Bibi approached CLAAS for legal
assistance regarding the recovery of their daughter from the custody of Muslims
and requested for the registration of kidnapping and forced conversion cases
against Vicky and other coaccused. CLAAS filed a Habeas Corpus Petition for the
recovery of Uzma Bibi in the High Court Lahore on April 30, 2010. The court
deputed a bailiff for the recovery of Uzma from the illegal custody of Vicky
and others. Bailiff raided on the given address but bailiff was failed to
recover her because the victim was not present at the mentioned address. Then
court ordered strictly to bailiff to produce Vicky’s mother in the court.
Vicky’s mother gave her statement to the honorable court that since the
incident took place she is totally disconnected with her son. She also said
that she was not in the favor of her son Vicky to kidnap Uzma and keep her in
custody. Therefore I never peruse him where he is living and what he is doing.
On her statement court dismissed Habeas petition and allow her to go back to
home with honor. After the dismissal of the Habeas Corpus Petition the family
did not contact CLAAS.
Saira Bibi aged 20 d/o
Pervaiz Masih (late) Christian by faith and resident of
Afterwards Muhammad Akhtar forced Saira to come with him but she refused to go
along with him. Muhammad Akhtar forcibly pulled her towards him, took her and
also warned her for dire consequences and that if she will refuse to go along
with him he will kill all of them. All the accused persons brutally gave severe
beatings to her mother Fazilat Bibi and her brothers. They finally put state
their guns on their heads and warned Saira that if she will not go along with
them they will kill her mother and brother and later forcibly abducted her and
took her at some unknown palace. The accused persons inhumanly gang raped and
on the same day Muhammad Akhtar forcedly converted her into Islam and on
gunpoint he got married with her under Islamic rites. Obviously the victim
family tried their level best to find Saira but all in vain. On July 05, 2010
Saira luckily escaped from the illegal custody of the accused Muhammad Akhtar,
reached at her parent’s home and narrated the whole story. Without delaying the
same day she along with her mother approached CLAAS for legal assistance. CLAAS
filed a suit for dissolution of marriage on behalf of Saira Bibi in the civil
court through Mr. Tanvir M. Gill advocate of High Court (legal advisor CLAAS)
on July 07, 2010. The case is under court proceedings.
Reported by CLAAS Pakistan, Email: claas@brain.net.pk