HRCP condemns murder of Afzal Kohistani

8 March 2019, Lahore. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has strongly condemned the murder of Afzal Kohistani, who was gunned down in Abbottabad on 6 March.

In a statement released today, HRCP has said: ‘It is highly likely that Mr Kohistani was murdered for his role in exposing a series of suspected ‘honour’ killings that occurred in 2011, after a video – that showed a gathering of young men and women in northern Kohistan singing and clapping to the beat of a wedding song – was posted online. Mr Kohistani’s murder follows only seven months after an FIR was finally filed last August on his petition to the Supreme Court – an FIR that took seven years to be filed.

‘HRCP is outraged at Mr Kohistani’s murder. We are also gravely concerned that this will have a ripple effect on human rights defenders who monitor and report ‘honour’ killings and are reminded of what their work could cost them.

‘HRCP demands that the murder be swiftly and thoroughly investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice. It is also imperative that human rights defenders who bring such cases to light are given effective police protection when they have good cause to feel their life is under threat. Above all, both civil society and the state must take strong measures to eliminate parallel justice systems that enable and find ways to justify the brutal institution of ‘honour’ killing.’

Dr Mehdi Hasan

Chairperson