Home World Politics Joint Statement of Solidarity with PTM by Feminist Groups across Pakistan

Joint Statement of Solidarity with PTM by Feminist Groups across Pakistan

Details
Published on Monday
03 June 2019  17:53
Written by Radical Socialist
We, as feminists who uphold the peaceful resolution of conflict, stand in solidarity with the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) in their struggle for fundamental rights. We condemn the violence that took place on May 26th in the Khar Qamar area of North Waziristan in which 13 civilians were allegedly killed and 46 were injured as a result of army firing. According to the testimonies of eyewitnesses and video footage released on social media, the protesters were unarmed and were peacefully protesting the illegal detention of local residents.
Following this event, Ali Wazir, an elected MNA, was arrested under charges of terrorism. There are also rumours that he has been tortured while in detention. Furthermore, Mohsin Dawar was arrested on May 30th and also charged with terrorism. Since this time, a curfew has been imposed in Waziristan, which has led to food and medicine shortages, thus putting local residents’ lives at risk. This is a form of collective punishment. Before this, prominent human rights activist Gulalai Ismail’s home was raided and an FIR was lodged against her also on terrorism charges on May 23rd. We believe all three are innocent and have only been exercising their democratic right to peaceful protest in accordance with the Constitution. Following this wave of violence and repression, we as feminists demand that: 1. A Senate commission is constituted to investigate the massacre at the Khar Qamar checkpoint so that those responsible can be held accountable and punished. 2. Lift the curfew in Waziristan so that people can have access to food and medicines. 3. Hand all control of all administration, including law enforcement, in former-FATA to civilians in accordance with the 25th amendment. 4. Release Ali Wazir and all protestors arrested with him and drop all charges against them. 5. Release Mohsin Dawar and drop all charges against him. 6. Drop the FIRs lodged against Gulalai Ismail. 7. Hold free and fair trials of all persons arrested in the former-FATA before civilian courts. 8. Allow the media and human rights observers access in Waziristan in order for events to be covered impartially. 9. Lift the unofficial media blackout on the PTM at the national level. As feminists, we support the PTM’s democratic right to non-violent protest, and we oppose all forms of violence and repression against them and the residents of Waziristan. Saturday 1 June 2019, Women’s Action Forum (Lahore) Women’s Action Forum (Peshawar) Women’s Action Forum (Islamabad) Women’s Action Forum (Quetta) Women’s Action Forum (Hyderabad) Women’s Action Forum (Karachi)
RELATED ARTICLES

WSF Declaration of the Social Movements Assembly

Details Published on Sunday 13 February 2011 17:06 Written by Radical Socialist WSF Declaration of the Social Movements Assembly 12 February 2011 As the Social Movements Assembly of the World...

Whither Tunisia?

Details Published on Thursday 20 January 2011 01:43 Written by Radical Socialist Whither Tunisia? Curfew in Tunisia! What is the political significance? January 13 by Fathi Chamkhi Just hours after his...

Tunisia, Egypt: a revolutionary process of world scope

Details Published on Monday 28 February 2011 18:16 Written by Radical Socialist Tunisia, Egypt: a revolutionary process of world scope Fourth International The International Committee of the Fourth International at...

Most Popular

Feminism and Marxism

Details Published on Tuesday 24 November 2009 16:31 Written by Radical Socialist

Popular Unrest in Bahrain

Details Published on Tuesday 22 February 2011 15:53 Written by Radical Socialist After Egypt’s revolution, the people have lost their fear ’They didn’t run away. They faced the bullets...

Bolivarian Venezuela at the crossroads The Venezuelan economy: in transition towards socialism?

Details Published on Thursday 08 July 2010 04:47 Written by Radical Socialist (Part 3)   Eric Toussaint The capitalist sector is growing faster than the public sector and is still predominant...

The Greek general strike of 19 and 20 October

Details Published on Wednesday 02 november 2011 15:29 Written by Radical Socialist The Greek general strike of 19 and 20 October (by Pandelis Afthinos and Andreas Kloke) The 48-hour political...

The ulama and the rights of women

Details Published on Tuesday 12 July 2011 15:52 Written by Radical Socialist The ulama and the rights of women by Masood Ashraf Raja | If woman is just an appendage and...

Proletarian Heroine: Domitila Barrios

Details Published on Saturday 17 March 2012 04:21 Written by Radical Socialist Remembering Domitila: Making Bolivian History Emily Achtenberg Rebel Currents March 15, 2012 (Credit: Ben Achtenberg, refugemediaproject.org) Bolivians paid tribute this week to Domitila Barrios...

Mass Protests in the Spanish State

Details Published on Friday 24 June 2011 00:52 Written by Radical Socialist Massive outrage Notes on the day of 19J in Barcelona Josep María Antentas, Esther Vivas   The level of outrage has...

For the defence of the Tunisian revolution

Details Published on Saturday 22 December 2012 15:16Written by Radical Socialist

Class Struggle and Environmental Activism

Details Published on Saturday 17 October 2009 01:51 Written by Radical Socialist

Radical Socialist Perspectives: National and International

Details Published on Monday 18 July 2022 15:16 Written by Radical Socialist