Drone victim abducted in Pakistan
international |
rights, freedoms and repression |
news report
Tuesday February 11, 2014 01:10
by Justin Morahan
Man had filed a case against CIA
Mairead Maguire has called on Pakistani Prime Minister to release Kareem Khan, whom she describes as a man of peace
Kareem Khan is a Pakistani journalist, who lost his son and brother in a US drone attack some years ago and had filed a case against the CIA station director was arrested at his home early on 5 February and has not been seen or heard of since. He was expected to brief German, Dutch and English parliamentarians in Europe on Saturday about his personal experience with drone strikes and their impact.
A legal charity, Reprieve, reported that Mr Khan was seized by 15-20 men in police uniforms. The men did not disclose their identities and no reason was given for the detention. Mr. Khan's wife and young children were present at the time, along with a neighbour.
Kareem Khan to the court on 12 February.
His brother, Asif Iqbal, a teacher, and his son Zahinullah were killed by drone strikes some years ago.
Mr Khan's lawyer Mr. Akbar said in the press release, "It is a shame that Nawaz Sharif has allowed Pakistan to be a police state, where no fundamental rights are available to its citizens. Khan is not only a victim, but an important voice for all other civilians killed and injured by US drone strikes. Why are the powers that be so scared of Kareem and his work that they felt the need to abduct him in an effort to silence his efforts? Kareem Khan deserves justice and due process and he should be freed immediately of his illegal captivity."
Mairead Maguire is one of many international figures who have called on the Pakistani Government and Prime Minister to do everything possible to ensure Mr Khan's release.
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Jump To Comment: 1 2 3PRESS RELEASE
Nobel Peace Laureate, Mairead Corrigan Maguire, today appealed to Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan, and the Pakistani Government, to do everything possible to secure the immediate release of Mr. Kareem Khan.
Mr. Khan, a drone victim, was detained by unknown elements of the Pakistani police on 5th February, 2014, at his home in Rawalpindi, by 12 - 20 men in police uniforms and plain clothes, and has not been seen since. His wife, young children and neighbour witnessed his detention. They have been unable to locate him since.
Mr. Khan was due to travel to Europe, where he was to speak with European Parliamentarians about his personal experience with drone strikes and the impact such strikes are having on his country. Mr. Khan was involved in legal proceedings against the Pakastani Government concerning its failure to investigate the deaths of his son and brother in drone strikes.
Ms.Corrigan Maguire said:
‘I appeal the Prime Minster and Government to act immediate to secure the safety and release of Mr. Khan. His family and many of us are deeply concerned for his safety. He and his family have suffered much and since the loss of his son and his brother, by drone strikes, Mr. Khan, has been peacefully asking for an investigation into these murders by drones. Mr. Khan is a man of peace and as such deserves the respect and protection by his government and to be given his right to an investigation as he has requested. He also should be allowed his freedom of speech and to travel, all guaranteed rights under international law. ‘
Mairead Corrigan Maguire
Nobel Peace Laureate
www.peacepeople.com
10th February, 2014.
Mr Khan's lawyer has issued habeas corpus proceedings which have been accepted by the High Court in Lahore. The court has ordered the police to present Mr Khan by 12 February
Kareem Khan was not presented to the Lahore Court by his kidnappers on 12 February. Instead, on 13 February, he was flung blindfolded from a van to the side of a road and ordered not to report on his treatment during his detention. Kareem said he was not afraid to speak and flew with a delegation of friends to Germany on Friday night. He will speak to parliamentarians in Germany, the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands. He reported that he had been tortured by his captors.
Two parliamentarians in Ireland had promised to work towards his release. They were among a group of about twenty to whom I had written about Kareem. They are: TD Clare Daly and Senator David Norris.