HRCP wants quick probe into Gul murder

JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 21 May 2012

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has urged President Asif Ali Zardari to immediately form an independent judicial commission to probe the murder of journalist Razaq Gul in Turbat. HRCP also called for action against enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings and for measures to protect journalists and activists.
Summary

ISLAMABAD: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) is calling on journalists, civil society organizations and others to write to President Asif Ali Zardari urging him to constitute immediately an independent judicial commission for probing the murder of journalist RazaqGul. Razaq, 35, of Express News TV was kidnapped by unknown people in Turbat on May 18 when he headed home from work. His bullet riddled body was found near Old Civil Hospital, Turbat, in Balochistan the following morning. The HRCP also wants that the president order probe into murders of other extra-judicial killings, with a view to identify, arrest and prosecute the killers; stop disappearances and extra-judicial killings in the region; give adequate compensation to families of the victims and take meaningful measures to reduce risks to journalists, political activists and human rights defenders. The late Gulwas an office-bearer of the Turbat Press Club and Finance Secretary of Baloch National Movement (BNM). Sixteen journalists have been killed in Balochistan since 2001.

KEY POINTS:

HRCP asked journalists and civil society to write to the president seeking an independent judicial probe.
Express News TV journalist Razaq Gul was kidnapped in Turbat on May 18 and found dead the next morning.
HRCP urged investigation and prosecution in other alleged extra-judicial killings in the region.
The rights body called for steps to stop disappearances, compensate victims’ families, and improve safety for journalists and activists.
Sixteen journalists have been killed in Balochistan since 2001, according to the report.