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ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME
29 August
2008
PAKISTAN: Murder of
Mother and Daughter on the Pretext of Honour Killing
ISSUES: Violence against women; honour killing; murder; abduction; child abuse; impunity; no rule of law
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information that a mother and daughter were murdered on the pretext of honour killings on January 28, 2008. The mother's son was forced by the father to take part in the killings. Now, the couple's remaining children are in confinement and not allowed to go outside. Meanwhile, the brother of the deceased mother is in hiding and living in fear of being killed by the decision of the 'Jirga' (a tribal assembly of elders).
CASE DETAILS:
Ms. Husna once attempted to commit suicide due to daily domestic violence by her husband. According to the information received, on January 28, 2008, Mr. Kaloo Jamali started beating his wife, Husna, accusing her of a relationship with others, which she had continuously denied. During the quarrel, Kaloo threw his rifle toward his son, Mr. Mujeeb Ur Rehman Jamali, and ordered him to kill her. Kaloo's cousin, Mr. Hanif, loaded the rifle and gave it to Mujeeb, saying she is 'Kari' (a black character).
Mujeeb fired two rounds and Ms. Husna fell to the ground. Her daughter, Saima, rushed into the room and stood by Mujeeb and her mother. Mujeeb then fired at his sister, killing her. Kaloo told his neighbours who gathered after hearing the gunshots that his wife was 'Kari' and her daughter was also supporting her mother so both were killed in order to secure the honour and dignity of Jamali family.
On January 30, Kaloo went to Karimdad Lund Police Station, Khaipur Nathan and discussed the matter with police officers. A First Investigation Report (FIR) was lodged by his other son on the instigation of Kaloo, Mr. Mubeen Jamali, against his brother Mujeeb for the murder of his mother and sister.
Prior to this incident, Mr. Mohsin Channa, a known underworld figure in the area, abducted Kallo's eldest daughter, Ms. Hakima, and sold her in Karachi, the largest commercial city of the country. Mr. Channa remained out of the area for almost two months and when he came back, he told Kaloo Jamali that it was not him who abducted his daughter but rather Mr. Anwar Jamali, the brother of Husna. It is believed that this story set Kaloo against Anwar Jamali and his wife Husna.
After the murder, Kaloo as the head of the Jamali family in the area, called a 'Jirga' (a tribal assembly of elders). A decision was made against Anwar Jamali that he should be killed and all his business should be confiscated. Anwar escaped from an attack on his house and ran away from Khairpur Nathan Shah. Kaloo then took over all of Anwar's businesses, which are two shops and his house. It is reported that Anwar is living in the remote area of Karachi and surviving for begging.
A core group of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) of Dadu District, a non-government organization, made a report after an investigation. Their report reveals that the police have failed to take proper action against Kaloo Jamali and that Anwar is innocent of the abduction. Mr. Ghulam Nabi Panhwar, the head of the core group demanded that Anwar Jamali be provided legal assistance and also physical protection and that the children of the deceased Husna also be provided with protection.
However, to-date, the police have never arrested Kaloo Jamali but instead arrested his cousin, Hanif, Mohsin Channa and the eldest son, Mujeeb. Hanif and Channa spent some hours in police custody before being released on bail but the Mujeeb remains under arrest.
Meanwhile, Anwar has written several letters to police and various authorities including the provincial ministry of human rights, Sindh, regarding protection for his family members and confiscation of his business, but to date no action has been taken.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
The courts of Pakistan, including the Supreme Court and the Sindh High Court, have declared the 'Jirga' as illegal and unconstitutional. Nonetheless, it is still a common practice in the feudal and tribal based areas.
The Government of Pakistan has not taken any positive actions in order to eliminate discrimination against women and by allowing the Jirga system to continue are turning a blind eye to the incompatibilities of the judiciary system in Pakistan.
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The AHRC has also written separate letters to the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women calling for immediate action in this case.
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About AHRC: The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation monitoring and lobbying human rights issues in Asia. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984.
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