HRCP condemns attack on Sarabjeet

Lahore: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has condemned the attack in Kot Lakhpat jail on the Indian prisoner, Sarabjeet Singh, as a dastardly act and called upon the governments of Pakistan and Punjab to make a thorough inquiry into the matter and punish the guilty persons.

In a statement issued here today, the commission said:
“The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) condemns the murderous attack on Sarabjeet Singh, an Indian prisoner, at the Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore. A prisoner is wholly dependent for his safety on the keepers of the prison and, regardless of his offence, he is entitled to due protection against violence by wardens or fellow detainees. In this case, the authorities have obviously failed to do their elementary duty. They should have taken special care of Sarabjeet Singh since his case is well-known and the fellow prisoners’ hostility towards him could have been anticipated.

The authorities should have also realized the adverse effects on relations with India if an Indian prisoner fell a victim to any foul play, to say nothing of murderous attacks on him. Only a short while ago India had complained of death by torture of an Indian who was detained at Kot Lakhpat and the matter is pending clearance. These cases also reveal the dangerous consequences of the growth of intolerance in Pakistani society which will cause the people of this land more harm than anyone else.

The commission calls upon the governments of Pakistan and Punjab both to hold thorough inquiries into the latest horror story and bring all those responsible to book, and the sooner the better.