16 February 2009

His Excellency
Mr. Asif Ali Zardari
President of Pakistan
President's Avenue
Islamabad
PAKISTAN
Phone:  +92-51-9206069
FAX: +92-51-9203297 & +92-51-922 1422

Dear President Zardari,
We are gravely concerned on the fact that a sitting Federal Minister Mr. Qayyum Jatoi has pressurized Mukhtar Mai, the known human rights campaigner, to drop charges against the accused in her case.

We believe that Minister's message is an indirect threat to the life of Mukhtar Mai and we feel that anything could happen and anyone can be used against Mukhtar, including extremists, outlaws etc. 

According to Mukhtar Mai, the Minister called her uncle Ghulam Hussain on 11th December 2008 to his place in Jatoi and passed on a message to Mukhtar that she should drop the charges against the thirteen accused of the Mastoi tribe who were involved either in the verdict against Mukhtar or gang raped her.  The Minister said that if she does not comply, he and his associates will not let the Supreme Court's decision go in favour of Mukhtar. 

We have learned that the hearing of Mukhtar Mai's case has been listed in the Supreme Court of Pakistan for the 2nd week of February 2009.  The Minister's interference shows that the Mastoi clan have political influence of sufficient weight to bring pressure to bear on the supreme court.

We therefore urge your authority to:

• ensure Mukhtar Mai's case is processed without any political pressure or influence
• take special and urgent measures to ensure Mukhtar Mai's safety and security before, during and especially after the hearing
• hold the Federal Minister accountable for his interference in an adjudicated matter and for threatening Mukhtar Mai
  

Thank you very much for your attention.
Yours sincerely,
Asia Pacific Forum on Women Law and Development (APWLD)

Letter also sent to:
Ms. Sherry Rehman
Minister for Women Development
fax: +92 51 9201083

 

Mr. Yousuf Raza Gillani,
Prime Minister of Pakistan
fax: +92 51 9206907

Mr. Rehman Malik
Advisor / Minister for Interior
Email Address: ministry.interior@ gmail.com, interior.complaintc ell@gmail. com
Tele : +92-51-9212026
Fax: +92-51- 9202624

 

APWLD is a regional women’s human rights network of 150 members in 23 countries of the Asia Pacific region committed to enabling women to use law as an instrument of social change, equality and development.