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APL CONDEMN TORTURE IN ANY FORM AND SHAPE
Association of Pakistani Lawyers, a team of Pakistani origin lawyers, Solicitors, Barristers, Judges in the UK has taken serious note of the news reports that Britain closed its eyes on torture on British citizens on the name of war on terror in Pakistan.
APL noted the claim of former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf in BBC 2 programme ‘Secret War on Terror’ that he was never told by British Govt of Britain's stance not torture British citizens on its behalf and this may have been "tacit approval of whatever they we were doing which is quite contrary to the public policy that Britain prohibits, disapprove and abhors torture directly or indirectly keeping in line with its obligation of Geneva and Human Rights Convention(s). APL has expressed its deepest disapproval of such practice if were allowed to happen in the past and if continues to date.
This kind of claims will have serious repercussion on the stand of Western world to win the hearts and minds of those affected and to win against extremists on high moral ground in the war on terrorism.
APL looks forward to a statement from both British Premier David Cameron and Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani ensuring that despite the need to work together in defeating violent extremism, terrorism and radicalisation, both countries will prohibit undocumented torture directly, indirectly and or on behalf of third parties as outlined in the article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights 1950 which categorically says, “"No one shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment."
APL has further noted that the Rt. Honourable Chief Justice of Pakistan under ref HRC No.48917 of the 2010 have taken notice of the missing British umar Arshad’s case who was last seen in Pakistan and is missing for nearly 4 years. Umar was allowed to leave Britain despite on control order and neither British Home or Foreign Secretary ever acknowledged the notices of his parents to find out about the truth. It is unknown as to how many cases are pending in Pakistan. Chief Justice is prayed to prohibit the Govt who may not directly or indirectly use torture to extract information directly or on behalf of third parties as has happened in the case of British resident Bin Yam Mohammed and Rangzeb Ahmed some of whom are proceedings in the British higher courts on torture allegations in Pakistan on behalf of third parties; and That the Govt may not obstruct, hamper or resist the court orders and may not remove them outside the jurisdiction of Pakistan and or to force them to leave jurisdiction unless they are heard and due process of law is offered. Chair of the Association has said that we are extremely grateful for the Honourable Chief justice for his interest in ‘Missing people’s cases and we are assured that there is a dim of hope and a possibility of finding out young (U) whether he is dead, alive, or in custody or outside the jurisdiction of Pakistani authorities, so that if he is tortured, he may be rescued. That offers hope to promote non violent and torture free investigation and documented arrest, and trials.
APL further demand that all those arrested under the current system be offered due process of law and the detained casework regime operate in a fair, transparent and judicious manner, while protecting and promoting the national security of countries in question but remaining compliant of the basic human rights provisions duly protected by the Geneva Convention 1951 and European Convention on Human Rights 1950.
Barrister Amjad Malik
Chair & Members of the Executive
Association of Pakistani Lawyers (UK)
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