{"id":5592,"date":"2019-04-12T05:55:25","date_gmt":"2019-04-12T05:55:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/hrcp-web.org\/hrcpweb\/?p=5592"},"modified":"2021-10-01T05:57:12","modified_gmt":"2021-10-01T05:57:12","slug":"hrcp-slams-attack-on-shia-hazara-community","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hrcp-web.org\/hrcpweb\/hrcp-slams-attack-on-shia-hazara-community\/","title":{"rendered":"HRCP slams attack on Shia Hazara community"},"content":{"rendered":"

HRCP slams attack on Shia Hazara community<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lahore, 12 April 2019<\/em>. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has strongly condemned today\u2019s attack in Quetta, which has killed at least 20 people and injured about 48 others. The attack targeted the city\u2019s Shia Hazara community, who live in \u2018protected enclaves\u2019 and \u2013 given the frequency of such attacks last year \u2013 are now accompanied by a police escort when venturing out to buy food and supplies. HRCP\u2019s sources in Quetta say that, in addition to other civilians, at least eight Shia Hazara and one Frontier Constabulary personnel were killed in the attack.<\/p>\n

In a statement issued earlier today, HRCP has said: \u2018The fact that\u00a0this incident occurred in\u00a0a vegetable market that is frequented by the Shia Hazara indicates that they remain\u00a0consistently vulnerable, despite efforts to help ensure their right to life and security. This reflects a deeper sectarian problem that will not be resolved until the state makes a concerted effort to eliminate militancy and religious extremism. The Shia Hazara have been effectively ghettoised, their movement and assembly restricted, and their ability to conduct business and everyday affairs severely compromised. This is no way to live.<\/p>\n

\u2018It is worth recalling that, according to the National Commission on Human Rights, over 500 Shia Hazara have been killed in targeted attacks in the last five years. As citizens of Pakistan, the Shia Hazara community have the right to live as part of wider society without constant fear of being targeted by militant outfits. Important as it is to provide protection through police and Frontier Constabulary escorts, this is a short-term solution. The state must ensure that law enforcement agencies in Balochistan \u2013 who have themselves lost personnel in this and similar attacks \u2013 prioritise bringing the perpetrators to justice. It must also send across a clear message that the state will not countenance violence against any religious or ethnic minority.\u2019<\/p>\n

Dr Mehdi Hasan<\/strong><\/p>\n

Chairperson<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>