News update by NCJP

Pakistan: September 30, 2009, (PCTV Newsdesk)

In the past five days the investigation and judicial process made no headway in Samberial and Gojra (Faislabad). The leadership of the province seemed to have left handling of the situation with the local police and administration. 

Some of the detainees in Gojra violence were granted release on bails by Anti-Terrorist Court (ATC). The Christian community throughout the country continued to live in fear and insecurity. The family of Fanish Robert (a blasphemy accused killed in police custody on Sep. 16) fled Jethikey for safety however, came back to the village on Sep. 24. The family and the community held a small memorial service for Fanish in the village. They urged the government to shift the remains of Fanish to his native place from Sialkot Cantonment (his burial in the village graveyard was allowed). The NCJP continued to monitor proceeding providing legal aid, etc. at Gojra and Sialkot. Here is some specific and date wise information for more keen observers: 

September 25,  2009

• Mr. Abdul Qadeer Awan and six other accused of Gojra attack filed a pre-arrest bail application in ATC, Faisalabad.  The arguments on bail application will be heard on October 3, 2009. (NCJP Team)
  
• The family of Fanish Robert returned to their native village Jethike-Sambrial on Sep. 24. They fled the village after the mob attack at church. The decease` s family and their community members held a memorial service for him there amid tight security. They urged the government to ensure early shifting of Fanish` s remains to his native village from Sialkot Cantonment who was buried there due to the locals.  (Daily Dawn September 25, 2009)

September 26,  2009

• Mr. Muhammad Aslam, Investigation Officer (IO) made no response before ATC on the complaint about violating the due course of law in the investigation in Gojra on September 14, 2009. He reportedly started reinvestigation of Gojra case without the permission of the court while an investigation report had been already submitted. His response is expected on next hearing on October 9, 2009.(NCJP Team)
•  36 accused of Gojra attacks were produced before ATC including 22 Muslim detainees, 2 Christian detainees in cross version case. However 12 of them were granted release on bail. These 36 accused will be re-produced before court on October 9, 2009.(NCJP Team)
 

 September 27, 2009
Mr. Shehbaz Bhatti, Federal Minister for Minority Affairs stated in a press conference at Sialkot on Sep. 26 that a ‘fact finding’ report on the death of Fanish Robert will be presented to the federal and provincial governments and media within next four day. The report will ascertain whether Fanish committed suicide or the jail officials tortured him to death.    

Mr. Kamran Michael, Provincial (Punjab) Minister for Minorities and Human Rights, Mr. Mujahid Sher Dil, District Coordination Officer (DCO) Silakot, Fr. Emmanuel Yousaf Mani, National Director (NCJP), Mr. Tahir Naveed, Mr. Rana Asif, Mr. Pervaiz Rafiq, Members of Provincial Assembly (MPAs) and Mr. Riaz Bhatti also paid a visit to Sialkot and held meetings with police and administration.

Fr. Emmanuel Yousaf Mani strongly urged the government to review the blasphemy laws. Later, they visited the district jail cell where Fanish was found dead on Sep. 16. Mr. Waqar Ahmed Chohan, District Police Officer (DPO) Silakot and Mr. Farooq Lodhi, jail superintendent told the delegation that Fanish committed suicide in his cell and was not tortured to death. (Daily   Dawn September 27, 2009)

September 28, 2009
Lahore High Court granted the bails to Mr. Amir Hayat and Mr. Moaviya, two accused in Gojra attacks on Sep. 28, 2009.    (NCJP Team)