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Latest News:
Sex and the State
The Disappeared
Dr
Amna Buttar, President of ANAA has been invited to the first ever
international muslim women's initiative in New York city. She will
be attending this event along with 100 other muslim women leaders
from around the world. Below is the news from Chicago Tribune.
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VIDEO:
Friday, June 22nd, 2007
RALLY:
for the Restoration of Democracy and Justice in Pakistan
Sunday, June 3rd, 2007
RALLY: Human Rights for Pakistan
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Mon, Sept 18, 2006
Time:
5:00 - 7:00 PM
Venue: 44th
Street on Madison
Co-sponsors: Amnesty
International NYC Women Action Team
Collaborators:
Coney Island Avenue Project, Equality Now, Human Rights Watch,
Sindhi Association of North America
Voices of Pakistan, World Sindh Congress
July 18th at
6 pm. |
Join ANAA Mailing List Give the gift of compassion...volunteer: Latest: Press Release: CJ Decision ANAA welcomes the
decision to reinstate the Chief Justice of Pakistan with his
full powers. An independent judiciary is integral for a strong
Pakistan where justice is available to all and human rights are
respected. In this regard, we congratulate the Chief Justice at
his reinstatement and urge him to give immediate consideration
to the case of missing persons in Pakistan.
Press Release: Attack on CJ rally in
Islamabad Lawyers and NGOs denounce May 12 Karachi killings(Daily Times) Press Release: Violence in Karachi
ANAA strongly condemns the senseless violence
leading to the tragic events in Karachi on May 14, 2007.
ANAA stands in solidarity with the grieving
families of those whose innocent lives were lost. Many
livelihoods have been lost leaving the families to rely for
the rest of their lives on the help and assistance of
others.
The speculations of law and order situation
were high for several weeks in advance of the Chief Justice
visit to Karachi. The federal and provincial governments are
responsible for the safety of lives and property of its
citizens and should have taken appropriate security steps to
avert such a catastrophic outcome. ANAA calls for an open
investigation for the criminal negligence and dereliction of
duty by the government and the law enforcement authorities
leading to this tragedy.
Chief Justice has a right to meet with the
fellow lawyer community all over the country and had been
invited to various Bar Associations meetings. His visit to
Karachi is his prerogative as the Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court of Pakistan. Vested interests and inexcusable
shortsightedness by various groups and parties which led to
this tragedy can neither be forgiven nor forgotten.
It is time for the voices and flag bearers of
democracy and justice to unite and call for free, fair and
transparent process of accountability, elections and
governance
ANAA will always stand for and fight against
the injustices done in the name of honor, politics and
ethnic pride.
Dr. Amna Buttar addresses Karachi High Court Bar (The Daily Jang)
View report by BBC Urdu on the attack on Dr. Amna Buttar Benazir condemns ‘assault’ on HR activist (Dawn)
Benazir flays attack on female HR activist Dr. Amna Buttar(Daily
Times) Clich Here to view the article by Doug Moe in The Capital Times about the assault on Dr. Amna
Click here to
view another article in daily times about Dr. Amna Buttar Click Here to view the article in Daily Times about attack on Dr. Amna Buttar
Action Alert Please Click Here to sign the online petition to demand justice for Dr. Amna Buttar ANAA condemns police attack on Dr.Amna Buttar On April 3, 2007 at a rally organized to express support for Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, ANAA President Amna Buttar was rudely manhandled and molested The men who took part in this orchestrated attack were wearing anti-terrorist squad t-shirts making it clear that they were acting at the behest of Pakistani Government authorities. A day before the attack, Dr.Buttar’s family had once again received a threat from Brigadier Ijaz Shah of the Pakistani Intelligence Services who informed Dr.Buttar’s brother that her presence was not welcome in Pakistan. The close proximity of the attack to the statement received by Dr.Buttar’s family points clearly to the fact that it was deliberately designed to harass and intimidate her and prevent her from her activities as a human rights activist. ANAA expresses its deep outrage and revulsion at the shameful attack on Dr.Buttar and the continuing tactics of intimidation and repression being used by the Government of Pakistan. The attack on Dr.Buttar follows attacks on peaceful protesters, privately owned television channels and the manhandling of even the Chief Justice of Pakistan. All of them illustrate the complete degeneration of respect for civil society organizations and human rights activists in Pakistan. We urge all those who support the cause of human rights in Pakistan to express their support in writing in condemning the reprehensible actions of the Pakistani Government.
ANAA's president Dr Amna Buttar met the suspended Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry along with other Pakistani American Physicians on April 2nd to show support and solidarity for the judicial system in Pakistn. She will participate in a peaceful rally on April 3rd in Islamabad Pakistan where general public and human rights organizations will join hands to demand freedom of courts in Pakistan.
Action Alert
Dear Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee:
I am writing to bring to your attention my outrage and
alarm at the suspension of the Chief Justice Iftikhar
Chaudhry, the highest judicial official in Pakistan. The
Chief Justice had in recent months not only issued decisions
exposing the corruption of the current Government in
Pakistan, but also issued notices requiring the Government
to respond in cases surrounding the disappearance of 148
people who has openly opposed the Government.
According to a report issued by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, evidence exists to suggest that the disappeared had been kidnapped by the Intelligence agencies at the behest of government officials. The impunity with which this action was carried out illustrates amply the complete collapse of the rule of law in Pakistan. As a United States citizen, I am concerned about the fact that the United States as an ally of Pakistan is supporting a Government that shows such contempt for the rule of law and so blatantly uses its power to punish political opponents. If we are truly committed to assisting Pakistanis in their fight against extremism we must strongly condemn this action. I am writing thus to urge the Foreign Relations Committee to hold hearings on this issue. I hope that you will take my concerns seriously and give attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Your constituent
Use following link for Senator Joseph Biden
And following email address for Senator Richard Lugar
March 14, 2007
ANAA would like to
express its grave outrage at the suspension of the Chief Justice
Iftikhar Chaudhry,
In one of the most recent cases heard by
the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice and others on the Bench had
issued notices to the Federal and Provincial Governments
regarding the disappearance of over 148 people.
According to the Human Rights
Commission of Pakistan that had filed the petition, those who
had been released said that they had been picked up and
interrogated by Intelligence officials. The Attorney General
representing the Federal Government in the case did not show up
for the hearing. Days after the Chief Justice issued these
notices he was unceremoniously suspended on the basis of pre
textual allegations.
The timing of the Chief Justice’s
suspension as well as the fact that he has since been placed
under virtual house arrest, prevented from communicating with
media and even other members of the Supreme Court all illustrate
the Government’s nefarious motives in preventing the highest
judicial official in Pakistan from carrying out his duties and
protecting the Pakistani people. His suspension also illustrates
the reality that no person in
Without an independent judiciary that
cannot be fired at will, at the behest of ruling officials, We urge
all those who support the rule of law to write to the Chairmen
of the Foreign Relations Committee of the United States Senate
and urge them to take up this issue with the Government of
Pakistan.
For further information please contact: Rafia Zakaria at
International Women's day Message March 7, 2007 Dear Friends: Tomorrow International Women’s Day will be commemorated around the world. There will be rallies, talks and protests that will mark the progress made by women in the past year. As ANAA’s President, I am torn between the pride I feel for the courage of Pakistani women who have persevered in their struggle for equality and justice and deep disappointment at the way their struggles have been politically manipulated by the political forces in Pakistan. In the past year, there was much talk about the Women’s Protection Bill that was passed by both Houses in Pakistan. Reports insisted that this would dramatically alter the status of women in Pakistan. Among other things, it was promised that rape victims would be able to easily get justice in Pakistan. DNA tests would be used to process evidence. As human rights and women’s groups celebrated this Bill, little thought was given to the reality that there is only one DNA lab in the whole of Pakistan and that rape victims are often unable to pay even the bus fare to the police station let alone the cost of DNA analysis for their case. As media reports died down, I fear that the international community has bought the vacuous promises in the Bill and nearly abandoned the fight on behalf of Pakistani women. As the Pakistani Government was touting its gender sensitivity under the Women’s Protection Bill, the Hasba Bill was passed in the NWFP assembly which established a mohtasib or “moral police”. Since the passage of the Bill, women have routinely been harassed at educational institutions, public buildings and other public spaces. The passage of the Bill presents a severe threat to women in Pakistan, Just in the past month, Pakistani women faced a severe blow when Zille Huma, female minister in the Punjab Government was assassinated at the hands of a religious zealot. The same man, had threatened to kill other women for not wearing the proper Islamic hijab (not the traditional headcovering or dupatta which she wore) and had not been apprehended because of the interference of various religious leaders. However, I would not end this letter without also commending my Pakistani sisters for their incredible courage in the face of all this adversity. A few months ago, Pakistani women in Lahore participated in a marathon, despite the opposition of religious parties. Every day, millions of Pakistani women brave discrimination, harassment and an inegalitarian system and continue in their struggle to get education, participate in the workforce and get better lives for their children. We at ANAA would like to salute these women and renew our commitment to raising their voice before Pakistanis and the international community. We urge everyone to join us in our commitment and support the struggles of Pakistani women.
Sincerely, Amna Buttar President ANAA Politics in the name of Women ANAA stands with its civil society partners, Aurat Foundation, Sungi and many others in expressing their opposition to the Women’s Protection Bill (WPB). The Bill is being wrongfully used by the Government of Pakistan to gain political mileage in the guise of championing women’s rights. Our opposition to the Bill is based on the following reasons: a) The reason ANAA supported the prosecution of rape under the Pakistan Penal Code instead of the Sharia Courts was because the former has never historically prosecuted the crimes of adultery and fornication. This basic difference has been eliminated by introducing the new crime of “lewdness” into the Pakistan Penal Code. b) The Amended Women’s Protection Bill actually introduces a new crime under Section 496B of the Pakistan Penal Code. This new crime entitled “lewdness” would punish anyone engaging in consensual sexual relations outside of a marital relationship. Absent evidentiary requirements, the creation of this new crime now creates new opportunities in which citizens merely accused of “sexual relations outside marriage” can be thrown in jail and face a five year prison sentence as well as 10,000 rupee fine. c) While the new Bill allows rape cases to be tried under the Pakistan Penal Code and removes the supposed evidentiary requirement of providing four adult male witnesses, the creation of the new crime of “lewdness” under the PPC effectively eliminates any cumulative gains. d) Ultimately, the new bill uses the already confusing mixture of Sharia and Civil law effective in Pakistan to achieve political gains while ignoring the reality that under the new legal regime private citizens face prison charges for mere accusations of sexual impropriety. e) The Bill does not repeal the entire Hudood Ordinance which has been the demand of ANAA as well as all other civil society and human rights organizations in Pakistan. In doing so, the Bill fails to follow the recommendations of the National Council of Women or the Council of Islamic Ideology which have both recommended a complete repeal of the Bill.
For these reasons, ANAA renews its demands to the Government of Pakistan to stop playing with the lives of the citizens of Pakistan by introducing laws that pretend to change the status quo while effectively not doing anything to change the status of women in law and society. For questions please contact rzakaria@4anaa.org
For Asma Jahangir Event Page, Click Here For New York Rally Site, Click Here
Download Presentation on Women Prisoners Under Hudood Ordinances
ANAA STATEMENT ON PROPOSED PRESIDENTIAL ORDINANCE FOR REPEAL OF HUDOOD ORDINANCE
NY Times: (By Nicholas Kristoff)
MEET THE SURVIVORS:
Sakina Bibi: 51 yrs old woman who was gang-raped in front of her son and daughter-in-law to punish her son. She could not get FIR registered till later. Her medical examination was done 21 days after the incident and did not show evidence of rape. Now it is impossible for her to get justice.
Parveen Bibi: is seven years old girl who was raped by servant of the local Nazim, and now her family is being harrassed by the feudals and threatened to drop the charges. (her picture)
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