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Ansar Burney
to sue Macedonian govt for killing 6 Pakistanis
KARACHI: The human and civil rights organisation Ansar
Burney Welfare Trust International has announced plans
to sue the Macedonian government for compensation of
$12 million on killing of six innocent Pakistanis on
fake terrorism charges in Skopje (Macedonia) in March
2002.
Chairman of the Trust Ansar Burney, Advocate announced
on Sunday that the Trust is preparing to sue the Macedonian
government for a compensation to pay the heirs of the
six deceased with $2 million each - a total sum of $12
million.
These 6 innocent Pakistanis — Umar Farooq, Syed
Bilal Husain Shah, M Asif Javed, Khalid Iqbal, Aijaz
Ahmad and Muhammad Riaz — were brutally murdered,
because they were carrying Qura’anic verses in
their pockets in Macedonia two years ago.
The Trust decided to sue the Macedonian government
in the International Court of Justice after Macedonia
charged its former interior minister Ljube Boskovski
and six officers, including 2 former police generals
of its security forces, with murder on Friday. In 2002,
innocent migrants were ambushed and made to look like
‘terrorists’.
"A parliamentary committee in Macedonia already
voted 6 to 2 to lift the immunity of former interior
minister Ljube Boskovski. They have approved the state
prosecutor’s request for his detention,"
Ansar Burney said.
Pak taekwondo
players to file defamation suit against Latvia
By Waheed Khan
KARACHI: Ten Taekwando players from Punjab who
were arrested on terrorism charges last year in Riga,
Latvia where they had gone to participate in an international
tournament have decided to file a compensation and defamation
claim against the Latvian government.
Well known human rights activist and Chairman of the
Ansar Burney Welfare trust international, Advocate Ansar
Burney confirmed on Friday he would be filing the claim
next week on behalf of the ten players.
Latvia is located in Eastern Europe, bordering the
Baltic Sea and gained independence from Soviet Union
in August 1991.
The 10 players were only released by the Latvian government
three months back after Ansar Burney took up their case
and went to Riga to represent them.
"The players who were innocent people are still
suffering from the affects of their horrendous experience
behind bars as they underwent lot of mental torture
and harassment for no fault at all," Burney said.
"The image and name of Pakistan was also tarnished
because of the unjust action of the Latvian government
and its Ministry of interior affairs. And these players
now demand and deserve compensation and justice for
the wrong done to them," Burney added.
The ordeal of the ten players namely Chaudhry Mohammad
Mansha, Muzaffar Hayat Khan, Mohammad Shafiq Marlo,
Mohammad Akmal Siddiqi, Ateequr Rehman, Imran Malik,
Ejaz Ahmad, Rashid Ahmad Bhatti, Mohammad Zahid and
Mohammad Akmal Siddiqi began last year when they went
to Riga, Latvia on 15th November and stayed in a local
hotel and also took part in the games.
"They got valid visas at the Riga Air port till
23rd November. When they made reservation for their
return to Pakistan for 22nd by Aeroflot via Russia,
they were arrested a day before their return on the
terrorism charges," Burney recounted.
"Their only crime was that they were travelling
on the same flight as the Israeli basketball team,"
he narrated.
He said the innocent Taekwando players had gone to
Riga with legal visas and completing all other legal
formalities, but were arrested on November 21 from their
hotel on terrorism charges on a crime they had never
committed".
"The arrests were made although no weapons or
other hazardous materials were found during a search
of their hotel but the Latvian authorities suspected
them to be terrorists because they were travelling on
the same flight as the Israeli basketball players,"
he said.
Burney said the arrest of the ten Pakistanis amounted
to a discrimination against them because of their religion
and nationality, which was why he had decided to file
a compensation claim and fight their case by bringing
defamation charges against the Latvian government.
"We can also fight our case that concerns illegal
arrest and detention in the International Court of Justice
and United Nations Human Rights Commission," he
added.
The Ansar Burney Welfare trust international will also
be seeking assistance from the Pakistan ministry of
foreign affairs and Pakistan embassy in Latvia.
Self-immolation
threat by 18 women fails to materialise
By our correspondent
KARACHI: None of the 18 women, who had threatened
self-immolation to protest against social evils in front
of the Mazar-e-Quaid, turned up on Sunday, nor did they
contact anybody, including Ansar Burney Trust to whom
they had sent letters about their suicide attempt.
A good number of mediamen, including press photographers,
waited in front of the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad
Ali Jinnah for hour-and-a-half but no untoward incident
took place. However, a Rangers personnel received a
phone call, inquiring about details of the event and
he replied, "the situation is peaceful".
The women had reportedly stated in their letter to
Ansar Burney Trust that they would torch themselves
around 4pm on Sunday, but they did not turn even till
5:30pm.
On the directives of the Sindh government, heavy contingents
of police and Rangers were deployed along the roadside
of the Mazar and personnel of law-enforcement agencies
kept patrolling the area till filing of this report.
Besides, Fire Brigade vehicle and ambulances of Edhi
and Alamgir Welfare Trust were present at the Mazar
to avoid any untoward incident.
Ansar Burney, who was also present there along with
his team, appealed to the women to immediately contact
either the government, or the Trust for getting their
grievances redressed. The government has assured that
their (the women’s) genuine demands would be fulfilled,
he said, adding that despite government’s assurances
if any of the women took the extreme step, he would
prefer to support the law and not the women.
"This is the problem of every common man, we are
one nation irrespective of any cast or creed, and Pakistan
is our identity. It’s high time that we should
fight social evils, like poverty, corruption and injustices,"
he said but added that suicide was not solution to all
these problems.
Activists of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf turned up
in a considerable number at the Mazar. They were holding
placards and banners inscribed with slogans, like "War
against suicide", "Struggle for rights instead
of burying yourselves", "Raise voice against
the callous attitude of rulers", etc.
On the occasion, talking to this scribe, Ansar Burney
said PTI chief Imran Khan was worried about the situation
and had asked him to give minute-to-minute report to
him.
This (the suicide threat) might be a political stunt
to gain political mileage, Burney speculated without
naming any particular political party. "However,
we must be cautious, as the women may take ‘the
extreme step’ at some other time if their problems
are genuine and there is no political motive behind
this," he warned.
Oman
returnees narrate horrifying accounts of inhuman treatment
By our correspondent
KARACHI: The Pakistanis recently released from Oman
jails, on Friday revealed more stories of inhuman treatment
meted out to them during their illegal stay in the Arab
country.
Talking to newsmen at the Ansar Burney Welfare Trust
International (ABWTI), they said they faced the worst
days of their life during their travel to Oman and in
Muscat jails later. Many of them showed bullet marks
on their bodies and said that the way they were treated
was a serious violation of human rights and disrespect
of humanity. They expressed gratitude for Ansar Burney,
who was instrumental in bringing them back to their
homeland.
Of the 1,026 people who reached Pakistan on Wednesday,
417 stayed at the Ansar Burney Welfare Trust Centre
on Arambagh Road, Karachi, for a night. Later they were
sent to their homes in Sindh, Punjab, and the NWFP.
However, six of them are still staying at the centre
due to severe illness and injuries and are under medical
treatment. They are Nazir Ahmad s/o Lal Khan (Gujrat),
Sabir Hussain s/o Mohammad Khan (Mandi Bahauddin), Gulzar
Hussain s/o Ghulab Hussain (Chanar), Farooq s/o Haji
Sher Mohammad (Dera Ghazi Khan), Nazar Mohammad s/o
Khuda Bukhsh (Mastung) and Faiz Mohammad s/o Zabit Khat
(Parachinar).
"As we reached the Oman border, the Omani police
shot my uncle and another person dead and threw their
bodies into the water. They also shot two bullets at
me. On reaching the jail along with others, I myself
took one of the bullets out while the other one is still
lodged inside my body," said Nazar Mohammad while
sharing, with newsmen, the ordeal he suffered in Oman.
One more victim of inhuman treatment, Nazeer Ahmad,
said that they were treated like animals, even worse.
"We could not sleep properly for months. Some of
us stayed in jail toilets, where one can’t even
sit properly," he said.
Another victim, Faiz Muhammad, said that they were
really terrified on seeing bodies of men lying on border
mountains of Muscat. The bodies were of the Pakistanis,
Indians, Sri Lankans, Bangladeshis and nationals from
other countries. Some of them were even eaten up by
cannibals," he added.
Telling his story to newsmen, Sabir Hussain said that
he as well as others had a terrible time there. "I
had even started believing that I will soon die, but
God sent this Angel, Ansar Burney, to save us. We can’t
imagine that an Islamic country can treat human beings
that way. It was only us Pakistanis
who were treated in that barbaric manner," he said.
Italy
granted indefinite stay to released 15 Pakistanis
for brighter future in Europe
ROME: The very hectic efforts of world-renowned Pakistani
human rights crusader and Chairman Ansar Burney Welfare
Trust International, Ansar Burney, Advocate has once
again borne fruit as by means of his untiring efforts
Italian government has granted indefinite stay to the
released 15 Pakistani prisoners to make their future
brighter in Europe.
These 15 Pakistanis were released last week only because
of the personal involvement of Mr. Ansar Barni and his
Ansar Burney Welfare Trust International, against who
the worst kind of terrorism charges were levelled. They
were detained in Sicily Jail since August last year.
Mrs Shaheen Burney, Vice Chairperson of the Ansar Burney
Welfare Trust International has especially thanked to
Gabriele De Ceglie, the Ambassador of Italy to Pakistan,
Pak Ambassador in Italy Zaffar Hilali and Deputy Ambassador
Qasim Muttaqi for their kind support and cooperation
in this matter.
It may be recalled here that these 15 Pakistani prisoners
were detained in Caltanissetta Jail in Palermo, Sicily,
since last more than 10 months on a crime they had never
committed. Mr Burney who all the way came to Italy met
these prisoners in Jail and informed Italian government
for their innocence. The Italian government had granted
special permission to Ansar Burney to meet Pak prisoners
in Sicily Jail.
Senior Lawyer, Ansar Burney who is the member of American
Bar Association (USA) and International Bar Association
(UK) also met the Italian officials and informed them
the innocence of 15 Pakistani prisoners. By evidences
he proved that 15 Pakistanis were innocent.
Later the interpreter translated incorrectly and falsely
and turned the innocents into worst kind of Terrorists.
“I am grateful to the Italian government, Italian
Justice Court and Italian Ambassador in Pakistan HE
Gabriele De Ceglie, for the kind cooperation Italy had
always provided to Ansar Burney Welfare Trust International
in the matters of humanity and human rights, specially
in the release of 15 innocents on Ansar Burney Welfare
Trust’s appeal,” said Mrs. Shaheen Burney
Meanwhile She asked the relatives of them to contact
Ansar Burney Welfare Trust International at 6 Hassan
Manzil, Arambagh Road, Karachi, Pakistan or phone +
92 21 2626274, 2623382, 2626155, 2623383 or Mobile 0300
8243459 in this regard.
Five-year-old
Pakistani camel jockey injured in race
By Shamim Bano
KARACHI: A five-year old Pakistani ‘Camel Jockey’,
Muhammad Hussain, belonging to Rahim Yar Khan fell off
a camel and sustained serious head injuries in Al-Ain,
UAE, on Wednesday.
He is in coma, Ansar Burney told The News by telephone
from London. According to details provided by Burney,
the child fell off the camel while being trained for
the camel race in Al-Ain Wednesday morning.
As the child fell off, he was trampled by the camel
and is reported to be in a critical condition. The child’s
father is by his side. Burney, however, said that he
had contacted the embassies of the United States and
Pakistan in the UAE.
The political Secretary at the US embassy, Susan K.
Raddant, Burney said, had assured all assistance in
this regard on behalf of the US government. Raddant,
he said, had contacted the UAE government requesting
intervention to make sure that no child under 14 was
used in camel races.
The UAE government had responded positively, he said.
He further disclosed that he had contacted United Nations
Organisation and the matter of using children in camel
races, would be resolved by imposing ban on the race,
even though it was part of UAE culture. Both the embassies’
personnel are at present in the hospital and trying
to provide all possible help to the child.
On the question of bringing the child back home, he
said for the moment, doctors were trying to save the
life of the child who had sustained serious head injuries.
The volunteers of Ansar Burney Welfare Trust International
(ABWTI) in the UAE is the only NGO, which has taken
up the issue at the international level. Within a week,
he said, the ABWTI rescued 36 children and helped bring
them back home.
He also said that influential camp owner, with the
help of Al-Ain police, was trying to take the boy away
from the hospital. He also said that jockeys were usually
two-to-seven years old, chosen for their light weight.
Even two-to-seven-year olds are imported from South
Asia and these camel owners start their training at
the tender age of a year-and-a-half. These jockeys work
from early morning, around 3 am and finish off at 9
in the night, he said.
As Burney says, the new rules published by the Emirates
Camel Racing Federation (ECRF)
in June 2003 stipulate that a camel jockey must be aged
15 years or above and weigh at least 35kgs.
However, the rules are being ignored and allegations
persist that the Emirates government, despite acknowledging
that many of the racers are too young and weigh too
little, they still avoid stopping this heinous slave
trafficking because they themselves are camel and slave
owners.
Bodies
of Pakistanis drowned in UAE recovered
KARACHI: Human and civil rights activist and Chairman
Ansar Burney Welfare Trust International Ansar Burney,
Advocate, on Monday said the dead bodies of Pakistanis,
drowned in UAE seawater by human smuggler have been
found with co-operation of the UAE government.
He said a team of Ansar Burney Welfare Trust International
will leave for Dubai soon to bring the bodies back to
hand them over to their families for burial in Pakistan.
After having come to know that human smugglers had
thrown nine Pakistanis into seawater and drowned them,
Ansar Burney Welfare Trust International immediately
contacted with the UAE government as well as Dubai Police
Chief Major General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim and requested
to help the trust in search of the dead bodies of Pakistani
immigrants drowned somewhere close to the Arabian Sea.
The only eyewitness survived revealed to Ansar Burney
Welfare Trust that human smugglers in the waters closed
to Dubai drowned his nine companions belonging to Mandi
Bahauddin and Sargodha areas of Punjab.
The agent took these innocent persons on a dream journey
of brighter future in the Middle East but showed them
the way to the valley of death. "They drowned in
front of me before they died, we all were crying for
help to save our lives but no one heard our hue and
cry, fortunately Almighty Allah saved my life and I
managed to reach Dubai," informed the only survivor
Qamar Zaman to his family members in Mandi Bahauddin.
Syed Fahad Burney, Vice Chairman of the Ansar Burney
Welfare Trust International said that now in Pakistan
the trust had been engaged in collecting details of
these ill-fated Pakistanis with the assistance of authorities
in Dubai and Pakistan.
Syed Fahad Burney, asked the relatives to contact immediately
to Ansar Burney Welfare Trust International at 6 Hassan
Manzil, Arambagh Road,
Karachi, Pakistan. Phone (021) 2626274, 2628719, 2623382.
Mobile 0300-8243459.
Two camel
kids handed over to parents
DERA GHAZI KHAN: The Ansar Burney Welfare Trust handed
over two children made camel jockeys in the United Arab
Emirates to their parents in the suburbs of Dera Ghazi
Khan on Wednesday. Ansar Burney rescued the two children
last year with the cooperation of the Pakistan Embassy
in Abu Dhabi. Khalid, 6, and Faiz, 7, were kidnapped
from Pakistan and smuggled to the UAE for use as ‘child
camel jockeys’ with fake parents and documents.
They participated in camel race.
Self-immolation
threat by 18 women
Police ordered to ensure strict security
around Mazar
By Shamim Bano
KARACHI: In order to stop the 18 women who have threatened
self-immolation against social injustices on Sunday
at 4pm at the Mazar-e-Quaid, the Sindh government has
directed police to take strict security measures in
and around the mausoleum of the Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad
Ali Jinnah.
Heavy contingent of police would be deployed along
the roadside of Shahrah-e-Quaideen to avoid any untoward
incident. President General Pervaiz Musharaf and Prime
Minister Zafarullah Jamali have reportedly asked the
Sindh government to take immediate steps to stop the
18 who had threatened self-immolation. Besides, different
political parties have also expressed grave concern
over the suicide threat.
On the direction of Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-I-Insaf
(PTI) Imran Khan, party activists will form a human
chain to stop these women for committing suicide.
A procession of women, led by party’s provincial
leaders, including Mirza Jehangir Rehman and Muhammad
Zubair Khan, will reach Mazar-e-Quaid early on Sunday
morning. The participants of the procession would take
possession of all the four sides of the Mazar to stop
these women from setting themselves ablaze.
The PTI chief has raised voice in the National Assembly,
demanding solution of the problems of the women who
had threatened to torch themselves in protest against
unemployment, price hike, corruption, injustices to
women, etc. Senior Vice-President has also appealed
to all party workers to reach Mazar-e-Quaid on Sunday.
It is pertinent to mention that these 18 women, in
their letter to Asnar Burney, had requested the PTI
chief to bury 10 of bodies in the premises of the National
Assembly. While the remaining eight bodies be thrown
into the sea, their will said. Besides, in their will,
they had also wished that Bilquis Edhi should bathe
their bodies.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Shaheen Burney appealed
to these women to immediately contact the Ansar Burney
Trust, as senior officials of federal as well Sindh
government have assured that the grievances of these
women would be redressed. Islam forbids taking one’s
life and suicide is a sin in all the religions of the
world, she said.
However, the Ansar Burney Trust has taken all precautionary
measures for Sunday to restrain the women from setting
themselves ablaze.
1,025
Pakistanis return from Muscat
By our correspondent
KARACHI: Another batch of 1,025 Pakistani prisoners,
recently released from the jails of Muscat, will return
home on Wednesday (today).
A statement of the Ansar Burney Welfare Trust (ABWT)
issued on Tuesday said: "These innocent persons
have spent several months in a critical and painful
condition in Omani jails and will arrive on two boats
at Ghasbander, Keamari on December 10."
Ansar Burney advocate managed to get 1,025 ill-fated
Pakistanis released with the co-operation of Pakistan’s
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In November this year, the Trust brought back some
3,500 Pakistanis by getting them released from Muscat
jails. The Trust, in the last year, succeeded in getting
15,000 such prisoners released and brought them back
to Pakistan.
These Pakistanis had illegally gone to Oman with the
help of human smugglers in search of better employment
opportunities. Omani law enforcement agencies arrested
them and kept them in various jails.
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