By Ravi Nitesh
29 October, 2013
Pakistan and India, both are similar in so many things. Peace
mongers and human rights activists actually take it in positive way and it is
in fact one of the main base that makes a solid reason of similarity among the
citizens of these two countries. Now, there is one more thing that is being
'made' by the government of Pakistan, and the same already exists in India as
well. Unfortunately this thing, though in spite of being almost similar, is not
a reason of any celebration, instead a cause that raise eye brow of human
rights activists.
Recently, on
October 11 and October 20, Government of Pakistan promulgated two ordinances,
where the first is in amendment of already existed Anti terrorism Act- 1997 and
second is Pakistan Protection Ordinance under which Law Enforcement Agencies
(Police, Military, Para Military, Frontier Cop, Pakistan Rangers & Frontier
Constabulary) have received extra ordinary powers. The first ordinance has also
a power to fire or order the firing as pre-emptive measure. Under these ordinances,
security personals can enter and search any premises without warrant and can
confiscate any property without permission. This ordinance is encouraging long
detentions (up to three months) and also the powers to track telephone and
internet activity. This ordinance also exempts armed forces and police for
being liable for any actions done by them during performance of their duty. Non
bailable offence and minimum punishment of 10 years have been sought in case of
conviction.
Unfortunately, India has already made such laws that violate the fundamental human rights and provides extra ordinary powers to security personals. If we see, we will find that the recent ordinance of Pakistan, is in line with the Indian Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) that is still enforced in North east states and J&K. Under this act as well, security personals have powers to arrest without warrant, shoot at site, search the premises etc and with the more stringent provision of not registering criminal case.
Unfortunately, India has already made such laws that violate the fundamental human rights and provides extra ordinary powers to security personals. If we see, we will find that the recent ordinance of Pakistan, is in line with the Indian Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) that is still enforced in North east states and J&K. Under this act as well, security personals have powers to arrest without warrant, shoot at site, search the premises etc and with the more stringent provision of not registering criminal case.
Though, Pakistan
government is seeking support from all political groups for its recent
ordinance, it must be viewed that it can be harmful as Indian AFSPA. Though we
are not suspecting any motive of government (of India and Pakistan) to fight
against armed violence, but in view of the proved examples, it must be seen
that such extra ordinary powers through such provisions can lead to human
rights violations at large that in result will lead greater people
dissatisfaction rather than providing them a peaceful life.
