Activists hail gang-rape verdict

Pakistani rights groups on Monday hailed the verdict of a local court giving the death sentence to six men who had gang-raped a women on a decision of a village jury, but have urged the government to take concrete steps to eliminate extra-judicial tribunals. "In this individual case, its a positive step because local bullies were brought to justice," chairman of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Afrasiab Khattak, told IRIN from Peshawar, the provincial capital of the country's North West Frontier Province. "But it should sensitise the government to extra-judicial tribunals," he added. A special anti-terrorism court in the central Punjab provincial town of Dera Ghazi Khan, announced the verdict early on Sunday, sentencing six men to death and acquitting eight others. Four were convicted of rape and two for being part of the jury that authorised the crime. Khattak said this kind of decision was expected because the incident, which took place on 22 June, had a become a high profile case. It had brought Pakistan under the international spotlight, where gang-rape and honor killings were quite frequent. According to the activist, besides dealing firmly with such violations, all such laws which were discriminatory against women must also be repealed, including a set of Islamic legislation introduced in the 1980's. "These laws make women third-class citizens of the country," he explained. Such sentiment was echoed by Naeem Mirza, co-director of the legislative watch at Aurat (women) Foundation, a Pakistani NGO, who maintained this was the first time such a bold initiative had been taken by the Pakistani courts. Indeed, the country's Supreme Court had asked the anti-terrorism court to expeditiously hear the case. "This is a good judgment. It will set a precedent in the legal history of the country, and is a warning to the people in the tribal areas, where such retrogressive customs are prevalent," Mirza told IRIN. The victim, Muktharan Mai, said she was raped by four men after approaching the traditional jury, or panchayat, in Meerawali to settle a dispute with the rival Mastoi clan. The Mastois claim that Mai's younger brother had a illicit relationship with one of their women and they needed to avenge their honour. Mai's family denied the allegation. Mirza said the government must now ensure that the victim and her family were provided complete security. "The crucial part we are concerned about is their safety because threats have already been issued against them," he added. Meanwhile, the international media reported on Sunday that armed police units were stationed throughout Dera Ghazi Khan where hundreds of members of both families and their supporters had gathered for the verdict. Mirza said a collective effort of the government and the civil society was needed to prevent such injustice in the future while Khattak called for greater awareness on women's issues and their rights.