UN Security Council press statement on terrorist attacks in Nigeria

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UN Security Council press statement on terrorist attacks in Nigeria

NEW YORK, January 27, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The following Security Council press statement was issued on 25 January by Council President Baso Sangqu (South Africa):

The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the multiple terrorist attacks that occurred in Kano, Nigeria, in recent days, causing numerous deaths and injuries.

The members of the Security Council expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the victims of these heinous crimes and their families, and to the people and Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations is criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of its motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed, and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and all obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts.

The members of the Security Council reminded States that they must ensure that measures taken to combat terrorism comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law.

The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice, and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Nigerian authorities in this regard.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their determination to combat all forms of terrorism, in accordance with its responsibilities under the Charter of the United Nations.

SOURCE 

UNITED NATIONS

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African Union and Australia Sign Institution and Capacity Building Support Agreement

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African Union and Australia Sign Institution and Capacity Building Support Agreement

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, January 27, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — The African Union Commission (AUC) and the Government of Australia have signed an agreement that will enable Australia to support the Institution and Capacity Building Programme of the Commission.

The agreement was signed today, Thursday 26 January 2012, at the AU Headquarters by the Chairperson of the Commission, Dr. Jean Ping and the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Mr. Kevin Rudd MP.

The support of two million Australian Dollars (about USD2.1million) covers two-years and will be implemented and monitored on behalf of the Australian Government by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and for the AU by the Strategic Policy Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Resource Mobilisation Directorate.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chairperson said that he was delighted to welcome the Foreign Affairs Minister and underscored the importance and depth of AU relations with Australia.

Recalling that 2011 was a particularly challenging year for Africa, Dr. Ping expressed appreciation to the Government of Australia for its sustained support of the Commission and renewed the expression of his sympathy to the Australian nation for last year’s devastating floods which resulted in several deaths and widespread loss of property in the state of Queensland.

On his part, Minister Rudd said that he was pleased to be back in Addis Ababa and agreed with the Chairperson that AU relations with Australia are excellent. He described the agreement as a concrete demonstration of Australia’s strong sense of responsibility towards Africa.

Following the signing ceremony, both personalities exchanged views on issues of mutual interest, including investment opportunities in Africa.

“This Continent of a billion people has the potential to become the next China,” the Foreign Affairs Minister stated. He revealed that Australia has 600 projects in 41 African countries and emphasized the commitment of his country to the enhancement of its economic ties with Africa.

“We have been at the receiving end of investment, so we understand the challenges,” Minister Rudd added, and underscored the importance to his country of preserving “Brand Australia,” – the international reputation and good image of Australia

The Honourable Mr. Rudd was accompanied by Australia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia, H.E. Ms. Lisa Filepetto and several other senior Australian diplomats, including the Permanent Representative to the United Nations, H.E. Mr. Gary Quinlan and the Minister Counselor of AusAID in Pretoria, Mr. Jamie Isbister.

On the AU side, the Chairperson was flanked, among others, by the Deputy Chairperson, the Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff in the Bureau of the Chairperson, the Chief of Staff in the Bureau of the Deputy Chairperson, as well as the Chairperson’s Political and Diplomatic Advisor.

SOURCE 

African Union Commission (AUC)

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UNOCI chief makes a presentation on the situation in Cote d’Ivoire to the UN Security Council

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UNOCI chief makes a presentation on the situation in Cote d’Ivoire to the UN Security Council

ABIDJAN, Côte d’Ivoire, January 27, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Summary of the weekly press conference of the United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI)

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Côte d’Ivoire, Bert Koenders, will give a presentation on Thursday 26 January 2012 on the situation in Côte d’Ivoire to the UN Security Council, the spokesman of the UN Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI), Hamadoun Touré, announced on Thursday in Bongouanou.

“During his presentation, Mr. Koenders would be focussing on progress and challenges in the areas of security, national reconciliation and political dialogue to pave the way for economic recovery and development,” Mr. Touré stated at the mission’s weekly press conference, which took place in Bongouanou within the framework of UNOCI Days, held in this locality located 204 km northeast of Abidjan.

The Spokesman said that while some encouraging signs had been observed, violent incidents marred the daily lives of some populations. “All that shows that much remains to be done, including in the process of disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration/Security sector reform (DDR/SSR),” Mr. Touré said.

He indicated that the other challenge was the promotion of political dialogue. For that reason, the Special Representative has taken many initiatives targeting the government and the opposition in order to facilitate and encourage discussions between them, the spokesman stressed. “Before the presentation to the Security Council, Mr. Koenders had consultations with the diplomatic community accredited to the United Nations,” he said, adding that the Special Representative had also had separate meetings with the representatives of permanent members of the Council, namely China, the United States, the United Kingdom and Russia. “He briefed them and requested the international community’s support for UNOCI so as to accelerate the return to normalcy in the country,” Mr. Touré stated.

With regard to the activities of UNOCI’s military force, Mr. Touré stated that the blue helmets had carried out 1,506 patrols during the just-ended week, and distributed 45,000 litres of water.

In the area of sensitization and discussions with the population, which include the UNOCI Days, the spokesman explained the concept of the latter. “This 19th edition of UNOCI Days will enable the different sections of the population to benefit from free medical care, to say in all frankness what they expect from the mission, to better understand how UNOCI intends to accompany Côte d’Ivoire in this post-crisis period and make concrete proposals in terms of contributions to support the peace process,” he explained.

Still on the issue of the 19th UNOCI Days, he mentioned social actions for the benefit of the population such as the inauguration of the central market in Arrah, about 26 km from Bongouanou, and the sports and cultural activities to be held during the three days of communion between the population of the area and UNOCI.

Mentioning other activities organised by UNOCI on the margins of UNOCI Days, Mr. Touré said a workshop for the media was being held in Kotobi, 8 km from Bongouanou, on the theme of “Private non-profit radios and the challenges of a successful resolution of the post-election crisis”. Thirty persons from community radios in the area were invited to the workshop. Mr. Touré also announced the holding of an awareness-raising workshop in the town of Kossou, aimed at building capacity among opinion leaders with regard to social cohesion and national reconciliation.

Turning to sports, the spokesman stated that the mission was continuing its projection of matches of the 28th edition of the African Football Cup of Nations in various towns.

Journalists asked questions related to the new mandate of UNOCI, insecurity and certification. “UNOCI’s mandate is the purview of the Security Council,” the spokesman said. He also conveyed the mission’s concern about the destruction of prisons during the post-election crisis. In this regard, he indicated that the international community was mobilized to help Côte d’Ivoire rehabilitate its prisons.

On the issue of certification, the spokesman explained that the idea was to state whether the elections had been conducted in conformity with national and international norms. “Certification is in no way a sanction, and it comes after the Independent Electoral Commission and the Constitutional Council,” he said.

Queried about the durability of UNOCI’s actions, Mr. Touré insisted on the need for the population to take ownership of all the things that are being done, including training, workshops and seminars.”UNOCI does not have a vocation to remain in Côte d’Ivoire and it hopes that all the actions it has undertaken here and there will be useful even after it leaves,” he said.

On the proliferation of arms in Côte d’Ivoire, the Spokesman assured journalists that this was a concern both for the mission and for the population. “Disarmament is more topical than ever,” he said, recalling that, at the moment, disarmament was voluntary.

Mr. Touré stressed the attachment of the mission to freedom of peaceful demonstration, assembly and expression. He also explained that ensuring security at demonstrations was the work of the police and gendarmerie and that the UNOCI forces could not replace the Ivorian ones.

Finally, the Spokesman recalled the important role of community radios. “We attach importance to cooperation with the community radios because they are close to the population and relay messages of peace, reconciliation and social cohesion,” he stressed, urging the radios to focus on giving correct information.

SOURCE 

Mission of UN in Côte d’Ivoire

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Ethiopia: Death penalty for blogger, prison for journalists

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Ethiopia: Death penalty for blogger, prison for journalists

NEW YORK, January 27, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — A U.S.-based journalist convicted on politicized terrorism charges in Ethiopia was sentenced to death in absentia today, while two other Ethiopian journalists received heavy prison sentences in connection with their coverage of banned opposition groups, according to news reports.

Elias Kifle, exiled Ethiopian editor of the Washington-based opposition website Ethiopian Review, was handed a death sentence in absentia today, which followed a 2007 life sentence given to him also in absentia on charges of treason for his coverage of the government’s brutal repression of 2005 post-election protests, CPJ research shows. A court in the capital, Addis Ababa, sentenced Reeyot Alemu, a columnist with the independent weekly Feteh , and Woubshet Taye, deputy editor of the now-defunct weekly Awramba Times, to 14 years in prison and 33,000 birrs (US$1,500), news reports said.

“The death penalty for Elias Kifle and the prison sentences for Reeyot Alemu and Woubshet Taye are based on their writings about political dissent. This verdict has little to do with justice,” said CPJ Africa Advocacy Coordinator Mohamed Keita. “We condemn this politicized prosecution designed to cow critical voices into silence and call on the Supreme Court to reverse all the convictions.”

The three journalists were charged in September with lending support to an underground network of banned opposition groups, which has been criminalized under the country’s 2009 antiterrorism law. Alemu and Taye were arrested in June and held for weeks on government accusations of plotting to sabotage telephone and electricity lines before they were charged. In the trial, government prosecutors presented as evidence intercepted emails and phone calls between the journalists, as well as more than 25 Ethiopian Review articles on the activities of opposition groups, CPJ research shows.

Eskinder Nega, another Ethiopian blogger, has been imprisoned since September and could be sentenced to death if convicted of similar politicized terrorism charges in connection with his coverage of banned opposition groups.

Kifle is the first journalist to be handed a death sentence in Ethiopia, according to CPJ research. Since 1992, only two people have been executed after being given the death penalty, while other death sentences have been commuted to life in prison, according to an Ethiopian legal expert.

SOURCE 

Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)

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Press conference of Ambassador John K. Shinkaiye Chief of Staff of the Cabinet of the AUC Chairperson

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Press conference of Ambassador John K. Shinkaiye Chief of Staff of the Cabinet of the AUC Chairperson

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, January 27, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Mr. John K. Shinkaiye, Chief of Staff of the Bureau of the Chairperson of the Commission, will hold a joint press conference on Friday 27 January 2012 at 15h00, at the Media Center of the AU Conference Center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

During the press conference to be held on the sidelines of the 18th AU Summit, Ambassador Shinkaiye will address the following issue:

–    Cooperation and partnership with the African Union

Journalists are invited to take part in the press conference.

SOURCE 

African Union Commission (AUC)

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AUC Chairperson Receives Envoys From Japan, India, Luxemburg and Georgia

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AUC Chairperson Receives Envoys From Japan, India, Luxemburg and Georgia

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, January 27, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — On the margins of the ongoing 18th African Union Summit, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Dr. Jean Ping, received in separate audiences in his office at the AUC Headquarters, on Wednesday 25 January 2012, the Parliamentary Senior Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, H.E. Mr. Ryuji Yamane, the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of India, H.E. Mr. Madhusudan Ganapathi, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Luxemburg, H.E. Mr. Jean Asselborn, and the Vice Prime Minister of Georgia, H.E. Ms. Ekaterine Tkeshelashvili.

The Chairperson reviewed with his guests the existing ties of cooperation between the African Union and their respective countries and explored ways and means of further enhancing relations. They also discussed other issues of mutual interest, including the agenda of the 18th AU Summit.

The visiting officials reiterated the importance they attach to multilateral relations with the African Union and the Chairperson expressed appreciation for the support, assistance and collaboration received from their respective countries.

SOURCE 

African Union Commission (AUC)

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IOM Airlift Returns Vulnerable South Sudanese From Khartoum

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IOM Airlift Returns Vulnerable South Sudanese From Khartoum

GENEVA, Switzerland, January 27, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — IOM yesterday began a series of 12 flights to help 165 very vulnerable people stranded in Khartoum, together with 226 family members and escorts, to return home to South Sudan.

The airlift, which is scheduled to continue for a week, will include 11 charter flights and one commercial flight to Wau, Aweil and Juba, and will be completed by the end of the month. It will be funded by the Common Humanitarian Fund (CHF) and UNHCR.

On arrival the returnees will be met by IOM South Sudan officials and given help to travel on to their final destinations.

The returnees are part of a bigger group of South Sudanese who have been stranded at locations in and around Khartoum known as ‘departure points’ since late 2010, when the government of newly-independent South Sudan called upon its people to return home.

They include elderly and disabled people, pregnant women and people with serious medical conditions. Nine unaccompanied minors, identified by UNICEF, will also travel with the group to be reunited with their families in South Sudan.

IOM is supporting the governments of Sudan and South Sudan by facilitating the voluntary return home of South Sudanese citizens. In 2011, it helped some 23,000 South Sudanese to return by barge, train and air.

Conflict in border areas between the two countries and few commercial transport links mean that it is now difficult for people to return to South Sudan without help from the two governments or the international community.

Major IOM return routes include barge movements from the Kosti Way Station – a camp where more than 10,000 South Sudanese are still waiting for transport south. IOM has also helped to return people from Khartoum departure points by train. IOM air transport has been restricted to vulnerable people deemed unfit to take the journey by train or barge, both of which can take up to two weeks.

In December, IOM organized an airlift of 65 vulnerable people who were stranded at the Kosti Way Station. The returnees were transported from Kosti by road to Khartoum, where they boarded a flight to Juba, the capital of South Sudan.

Since South Sudan declared independence in July 2010, over 350,000 South Sudanese living in the north have returned to South Sudan through spontaneously or with help from the governments and the international community.

An estimated that 700,000 South Sudanese remain in the north. The Sudanese government has earmarked April as the final date for all South Sudanese wishing to return home. People staying in the north will subsequently have to regularize their stay.

SOURCE 

International Office of Migration (IOM)

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Eighteenth ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union to opens on 29 January

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Eighteenth ordinary session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union to opens on 29 January

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, January 27, 2012/African Press Organization (APO)/ — THEME: “Boosting Intra-African Trade”.

INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

WHEN: 29 – 30January 2012

WHERE: Plenary Hall of the new African Union Conference Center (AUCC), Headquarters of the African Union, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

WHO: Organized by the African Union Commission (AUC). The Assembly meeting will be attended by Heads of States and Governments of the 54 African Union member states, or their designated representatives

WHY: The ordinary session of the Assembly of AU Heads of States and Government is a statutory meeting of the AU. It is a time for the African leadership to take decisions on African integration and development in order to achieve the vision of the AU i.e. a united, prosperous and peaceful continent

OBJECTIVES: – The AU Heads of State and Government will discuss the theme of the summit i.e. “boosting intra African trade”. They will consider the recommendations of the Executive Council on the report of the Commission on the implementation of previous Decisions of the Executive Council and the Assembly; the report of the Peace and Security Council on its activities and the state of peace and security in Africa, including the activities of the Panel of the Wise; the report of Mr. Meles Zenawi, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Chairperson of NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee (HSGOC); and his report on the 17th Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC (COP 17), that took place in Durban, South Africa, 28 November – 9 December 2011.

The Presidents and heads of delegations will also exchange views on the report of Mr. Denis Sassou Nguesso, President of the Republic of Congo and Africa’s Coordinator on Africa’s preparations for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio +20) with respect to the Common Position and Strategies vis-à-vis the challenges posed by the global economy and the international governance of the environment. They will discuss the report of Mr. Ernest Bai Koroma, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone and Chairperson of the Committee of Ten on the UN Reforms and that of Mr. Paul Kagame, President of the Republic of Rwanda, on the 4th High Level Forum on Aid effectiveness held in Busan, South Korea, 29 November – 1st December 201.

Other issues under consideration by the Heads of State are the progress report of the Commission on the implementation of Assembly Decisions on the Hissene Habre Case and the progress report of the Commission on the transformation of the African Union Commission into the African Union Authority among others.

OUTCOME: During the Summit, the Heads of States are expected to adopt the Decisions and Recommendations of the 20th Ordinary Session of the Executive Council as well as the Declarations of the Summit. They will also agree on the date and venue of the 19th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the Union.

For more information, consult the African Union website: www.au.int and visit the 18th Summit web page of the AU at the following link: http//au.int/en/summit/18thsummit.

Journalists are invited to cover the official opening and closing ceremonies of the 18th Ordinary Session of the AU Summit on 29 and 30 January 2012 at the plenary hall of the New African Union Conference Center (AUCC) .

(Attached is the program of event of the opening ceremony. )

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS

EIGHTEENTH (18th) ORDINARY SESSION OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE UNION

29 – 30 January 2012

Venue: New AUC Conference and Office Complex, Large Conference Hall

DAY ONE: Sunday 29 January 2012

08.30 – 09.30 hrs Planting of trees by the Heads of State and Government and Heads of

Delegations of Member States, the Guest of Honour, the Chairperson of

the AU Commission, the UN Secretary General and Ms. Wanjiru Maathai,

daughter of the late Prof. Wangari Maathai and Executive Director of the

Green Belt Movement International (in memory of late Prof. Wangari

Maathai, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and First Presiding Officer of the

ECOSOCC of the African Union)

9.30 – 10.00 hrs CLOSED SESSION for Heads of State and Government and Heads of Delegations plus one (1) member of their respective delegations proceed

to a Committee Room at the New AUC Conference Centre for consultations on the composition of the Bureau and Drafting Committee

10.30 – 12.00 hrs

I.    OPENING CEREMONY

–    AU Anthem;

–     Minute of Silence;

–    Statement by H.E. Mr. Jean Ping, Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union;

–    Statement by H.E. Mr. Ban Ki-Moon, Secretary General of the United Nations;

–    Statement by H.E. Mr. Jia Qinglin, Chairman of the Chinese Peoples’ Political Consultative Conference of the Peoples’ Republic of China, Guest of Honour;

–    Statement by H.E. Mr. Michel Joseph Martelly, President of the Republic of Haiti;

–     Statement by H.E. Mr. Mohamed Moncef Marzouki, President of the Republic of Tunisia;

–    Statement by H.E. Dr. Abdul Rahim Al-Keab, Prime Minister of Libya;

–    Opening Statement by H.E. Mr. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea and Chairman of the African Union;

–     Election of the members of the Bureau and the Drafting Committee;

–    Acceptance Statement by the Incoming Chairperson of the Union;

–     Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Awards Ceremony for two (2) successful African Scientists: Prof. Oluwole Daniel Makinde, recipient of the Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation Award; Prof. Maryke Tine Labuschagne, recipient of the Life and Earth Science Award.

–     End of the official Opening Ceremony

SOURCE 

African Union Commission (AUC)

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Prez Mills Is A Gargantuan Failure – Sir John

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General Secretary of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Lawyer Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, affectionately called Sir John, has described President John Evans Atta Mills as a gargantuan failure who himself needs to be reshuffled.

To him, Wednesday’s ministerial reshuffle by President Mills is simply a ‘merry go round’ exercise of just adding and subtracting names.

President Mills released the highly anticipated reshuffle list of his cabinet late yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon with four ministers being casualties; namely, Information Minister, John Akologo Tia, Health Minister, Joseph Yieleh Chireh, Upper West Regional Minister, Issahaqu Salia and Deputy Volta Regional Minister, Col. Cyril Neku (rtd).

According to a statement signed by the Secretary to the President, J. K Bebaako-Mensah, the NDC Member of Parliament for Ablekuma South, Fritz Baffour, is the Information Minister-designate. The statement also included some new ministerial appointments: the Interior Minister, Dr. Ben Kumbour was announced as the substantive Minister of Justice and Attorney General.

Ghana’s High Commissioner to South Africa Lee Ocran is the new Education Minister-designate.

Hon. Dominic Azimbe Azumah, MP for Garu/Timpane becomes Minister of State designate at the Presidency; Ambassador Amin Amidu Sulemani, currently Ghana’s Ambassador to Egypt returns home as Minister-designate for Upper West Region while Alhaji Said Sinare takes over from him.

Whiles some political pundits consider the president’s latest reshuffle as important, especially so when the country is going into an election year, Sir John thinks otherwise.

Speaking in an interview on Okay FM, the NPP Chief Scribe said he does not see anything new with this latest reshuffle, adding that President Mills is simply trying hard to impress Ghanaians that he is busy at the Castle working.

“…the ministers who have been changed are not going to add anything new to the NDC government. It’s the same old thing that has been renamed…it does not have any importance…President Mills is a gargantuan failure and no amount of reshuffle he does will change anything. He is just adding and subtracting names…he himself needs to be removed from the seat of government…” Sir John said.

Speaking on the same issue as a panelist on PeaceFM’s “Kokrokoo” programme, Abu Jinapor, a Special Aide to the NPP flagbearer, Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo, said the recent reshuffle can best be described as ‘a final kick of the dying horse’.

According to him, the NDC government is on the verge of collapse and this latest ‘musical chairs’ of a reshuffle will not help advance the course of the ruling party.

“The names are old wine in new wine bottles…The reshuffle will not in any way help the NDC win the (2012) election…” Abu Jinapor said.

Source: peacefmonline

PAKISTAN: Kindly initiate the inquiry against killing of a human rights defender

William Nicholas Gomes
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Dear Mr. Asif Ali Zardari,

PAKISTAN: Kindly initiate the inquiry against killing of a human rights defender, working on fishermen rights, by the land grabbers

Name of victim(s):
Mr. Imam Din S/O Haji Ali Nawaz; aged around 36 years,
Mr. Muhammad Hashim S/O Abdul Hameed; aged 17 years,
Mr. Ghulam Abbas S/O Ali Khan; aged 20 years,
Mr. Ali Muhammad S/O Muhammad Suleman; aged 48 years
(All the victims are residents of Bangri Amed Shah Waali, Wapda Colony, P.O. Tehsil Piplan, District Mianwali Punjab, Pakistan.)

Names of alleged perpetrators:
Mr. Amir Khan S/O Haji Shafaullah Khan,
Mr. Nadir Khan S/O Haji Shafaullah Khan,
Mr. Yasir Khan S/O Haji Shafaullah Khan,
Mr. Ahsan Sardar, Mr. Bahawal,
Mr. Muhammad Riaz,
Mr. Jamal Din,
Mr. Muhammad Nawaz,
Mr. Muhammad Hussain
(All are residents of Chashma Village, Dsitt Mianwali, Punjab, Pakistan.)

Date of incident: 4th December 2011.

Place of incident: Malikhel Village, Kundiyan, District Mianwali, Punjab, Pakistan.

I am writing to voice my deep concern regarding the murder of a fisher folk activist and human right defender by the land grabbers and the displacement of indigenous fishermen community from their ancestors’ land.

According to the information I received Imam Din‘s family is one of the other families who had to leave their lands to secure their livelihood. In 1972, they migrated from district Sanghar, Sindh to Kudiyan, Punjab and started working with a contractor named Haji Shafaullah Khan Niazi to catch fish on Chashma to earn their bread and butter.

It is known that Imam Din was a kind and brave man having a good reputation amongst the villagers, one who always stood against the unlawful decisions of the contractor. He had a great affiliation with Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum. On raising his voice against those malpractices, the contractor, his nephew and mobsters started their bitter hostility towards him. They eventually expelled Imam Din from the village along with his entire family.

Imam Din forced to migrate and started living in Paharpur District D. I. Khan near Chashma Barrage. He bought 32 acres of land near his living place and started farming to feed his family. Though he was apart from them his association with the poor fishermen never weakened, he continued to support them. The culprits started harassing Imam Din to leave his piece of land, which he bought and threatening him in an effort to hinder his actions against their unlawful practices, but failed.

Then, on December 4, 2011 a group of thirty armed men broke into Imam Din’s village (Malikhel) and started firing for almost an hour. Ultimately the contractor Haji Shafaullah Khan Niazi, his three sons Amir Khan Niazi, Nadir Khan Niazi, Yasir Khan Niazi, his nephew Kaleemullah along with the armed men attacked Imam Din and his family. They targeted Imam Din and three of his family members, Muhammad Hashim S/O Abdul Hameed, Ghulam Abbas S/O Ali Khan & Ali Muhammad S/O Muhammad Suleman. They killed Imam Din and after confirmation of his death, they fired into the air in jubilation and told everyone that the main obstacle was taken care off. Imam Din’s death was an example for others so that no one would raise their voice against their brutality.

I therefore, urge you to initiate an inquiry into the killing of a human right defender and a fisher folk activist. I urge you to arrest the perpetrators and prosecute the local police for their negligence in taking prompt action against the powerful people. The deceased’s family should be compensated and provided by life and livelihood security. The Contract system should be eradicated from other part of the country as well in order to impede such injustice with fishing community and to ensure their sustainable livelihood. The displaced indigenous fishermen must be rehabilitated to their original places with the provision of all basic facilities of their livelihood.

Yours sincerely,

William Nicholas Gomes

William’s Desk

www.williamgomes.org

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