Fowzia condemns manhandling, arrest of Amina Masood Janjua
Fowzia condemns manhandling, arrest of Amina Masood Janjua
Peaceful protest right of citizens, govt needs to develop tolerance for dissent: Aafia Movement leader
Karachi, April 28: Condemning the manhandling and arrest of famed human rights activist of Pakistan, Amina Masood Janjua, Aafia Movement Pakistan leader Dr Fowzia Siddiqui termed the sad incident a blemish on the face of present democratic government and demanded her immediate release.
Addressing an emergency press conference at her residence Monday evening Dr Fowzia said the brutal police torture on chairperson Defence of Human Rights Pakistan Amina Janjua has proved that the mentality of long dictatorship era still prevails in the country when prima facie there is an elected democratic government in Pakistan. She said Pakistan has already been facing a negative perception in the world regarding the issue of the missing persons and today’s manhandling of a lady human rights activist would further strengthen this negativity at international level.
She said peaceful protest is the right of every citizen and the government should muster courage to tolerate dissent. She asked if raising voice against violations of human rights is a crime in this country. She said Aafia and Janjua families share same feelings of anguish as their loved ones were whisked away in violation of law and constitution, and they are intimidated when they raise voice for their basic human rights.
Fowzia demanded immediate and unconditional release of Amina and stern action against those involved in her manhandling and arrest. She expressed solidarity with Amina and her organization and said the volunteers of Aafia Movement fully support her just cause.
Issued by: Aafia Movement Pakistan
