Fear of Arrest and Harassment for Human Rights Lawyer Sardar Mushtaq Gill and His Family

Advocates say he is being targeted due to giving legal assistance in blasphemy cases. (Includes supporting documents)

(LAHORE) - LEAD (Legal Evangelical Association Development) is deeply concerned that human rights defender Advocate Sardar Mushtaq Gill has gone into hiding due to a fear of an illegal raid for arrest; he has been harassed by Police Officials who were operating illegally without police uniforms.

On 18 November, 2013, at approximately 9:30 PM in the late night, when people mostly are in bed, in Phool Nagar (Bhai Pheru) some unidentified persons came to his home and knocked at the door. His elder brother came out and asked them why they were knocking at the door. They asked where Advocate Sardar Mushtaq Gill was and they asked to speak with him. His elder brother told them that he was not at home as now he is living in Lahore. His elder brother enquired, who are you? Why you want to speak with him? They told they are Police officials. They noted the address in Lahore and went away.

On 19 November, 2013, at approximately 10.00 PM in the evening, Gulberg III, Lahore, some unknown persons arrived at his home, where he is living with his in-laws, and they knocked at the door and asked to speak to is wife told them that he was not at the home and she enquired them why they were looking for him.The police informed her that there are two accused who are absconders of the trial Court of additional and Session Judge, Lahore. The police informed her that Section 212 PPC had been imposed on him as Police has been informed by some persons that he has harboured them at his house.

Today on 20 November, 2013, Advocate Sardar Mushtaq Gill petitioned to Additional and Session Judge Lahore Mr. Safdar Ali Bhatti that he and his family illegally been raided and harassed by some unknown extremists along with Police Officials of Four Police Stations, Phool Nagar, Changa Manga and Garden Town, Lahore and Shahdara Town, Lahore. He also informed the Court that he has been targeted on 2 November, 2013 and there was shooting at his house just to make him feel targeted and harassed.

He also informed the court that he is being targeted due to giving legal assistance in blasphemy cases. He also requested the Court to give he and his family security as his life and the lives of his family members are in danger, but the Court flatly refused by saying that the court has no powers and jurisdiction to grant security, but the court gave a direction order that Police will not harass him and his family members illegally and unlawfully.

On 19 November, 2013, human rights defender Advocate Sardar Mushtaq Gill along with some other lawyers went to the same police Station and showed them the direction order of the Court. They flatly refused having gone to his house and raided and demanded the arrest to human rights defender Advocate Sardar Mushtaq Gill.

"I believe there are some militant elements who just wish to target me, and they came to my house pretending to be Police Officials or maybe the Police are now giving wrong statements", said human rights defender Advocate Sardar Mushtaq Gill. He added, "Now my family and I are not safe and we are constantly under threats and fear". "Now I am in hiding and do not tell anybody where now I am living due to security purpose", Gill said.

LEAD believes that Advocate Sardar Mushtaq Gill has been harassed as a result of his human rights activities and due to his stance against the misuse of blasphemy laws against religious minorities. LEAD is concerned for his security and physical and psychological integrity, as well as that of his family members.

We request prayers for Advocate Sardar Mushtaq Gill and his family because their lives are in danger. Please pray that God protect him and his family while he is representing the innocent who are suffering because of their faith in Pakistan.