Karachi saw crowds of hundreds gathered in its streets to commemorate International Day of the Victims of Forced Disappearances on 30th August. This protest sought to draw attention to the issue of forced disappearances in Pakistan.
International Recognition
Forced Disappearances has been recognized as an issue at the global level. This became clear in December of 2010, when the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution expressing concern over the rise in cases of forced disappearances worldwide as well as violence and harassment that follows the witnesses or relatives of the victim after their disappearance. Through this resolution, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Displacement and also declared 30th August as the International Day of the Victims of Forced Disappearances. This day commemorates and marks the plight and distress faced by the victim of the forced disappearance as well as the family of the victim who have to continue their lives without them.
Situation in Pakistan
Forced disappearances are not an uncommon occurrence in South Asia, particularly Pakistan. However, some communities and professions are more prone and vulnerable to such acts. Journalists, activists, dissenters and minority voices are among the ones who are the most susceptible to forced disappearances. The ones behind such disappearances are precisely the ones entrusted by the citizens to keep them safe. The state engages in forced disappearances to instill fear and to curb dissent among the public.
However, despite the international community condemning such acts, the legal framework of Pakistan still does not view forced disappearances as a matter of concern which one should be punished against.
The Protest in Karachi
Frustrated with the inaction of the state, the people of Karachi took to the streets on 30th August to raise their voices against this heinous crime. The march spanned over three kilometers from Teen Talwar to the Karachi Press Club (KPC) and saw participation of people from all walks of life, young and old alike. Many of them have been personally affected by the state’s abduction of their family members. The communities and regions most affected by such abductions are in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh. Various youth organizations and activists were present at the site too.
The protestors at Karachi demanded that such acts of forced disappearances must end immediately. They also demanded that justice be delivered for the ones who have fallen prey to such abductions and compensation for their families. They called for proper legal mechanisms to be installed to prevent such an incident from occurring again. They asked for proper legal proceedings to take place rather than abducting the accused person without any notice.
