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URGENT ALERT: Pakistan – Turkish citizens tortured in Pakistani secret prisons

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URGENT ALERT: Pakistan – Turkish citizens tortured in Pakistani secret prisons

8 February 2010

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Islamic Human Rights Commission
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08 February 2009

URGENT ALERT: Pakistan – Turkish citizens tortured in Pakistani secret prisons

Contents
1. Summary
2. Background
3. Action required
4. Sample letter

1. Summary

According to Turkish Human Rights NGO, Mazlumder, a group of Turkish citizens are being imprisoned and tortured in secret prisons in Pakistan. It has been reported that they have been interrogated and tortured by Pakistani ISI and American CIA, since their detainment in May 2009.

2. Background

At a recent press release, Mazlumder stated that they have received 45 complaints from the relatives of Turkish prisoners held in Pakistan. The lawyer Umran Sirimsi Candemir, representing the group pointed out that the prisoners were refused a defence team, fair trial, family visits and allegedly experienced torture and abuse.

Former prisoner Cetin Akdeniz, stated at the press conference: “Turks and prisoners from other countries are in Pakistani secret prisons, which even the people of the region did not even know existed.” He then further went on to describe the physical abuse and dreadful prison conditions.

Pakistan is a signatory of the:

•    Cairo Declaration on Human Rights
•    International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 1966
•    Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment 1984
•    Amendments to articles 17 (7) and 18 (5) of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment1992
•    Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment 2002.

Therefore the current detention violates these treatises as well as shatters the integrity of the Pakistani legal system.

3. Action required

Write to the following individuals and organisations requesting the release of the Turkish prisoners and to institute a full, public investigation:

a) Pakistani ambassador. The appropriate address, fax and email have been provided in the relevant sample letter below.

b) Turkish ambassador. The appropriate address, fax and email have been provided in the relevant sample letter below.

4. Sample letter
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A sample letter is given below for your convenience. Please note that model letters can be sent directly or adjusted as necessary to include further details. If you receive a reply to the letter you send, we request you to send a copy of the letter you sent and the reply you received to IHRC. This is very important as it helps IHRC to monitor the situation with regards to our campaigns and to improve upon the current model letters. It is preferable that letters be sent via post, or otherwise by fax and/or email.

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a) Pakistani High Commissioner. Fax: +44-0207-664-9224 or Email: pareplondon@supanet.com

[Your name]
[Your address]

Mr. Wajid Shamsul Hasan
35/36 Lowndes Square
SWIX 9JN
London
United Kingdom
[Date]

Dear Mr Hasan,

Re: Turkish citizens tortured in Pakistani secret prisons

I am deeply concerned about a group of Turkish citizens who are imprisoned and allegedly tortured in secret prisons in Pakistan. They have made allegations of torture and interrogation by Pakistani ISI and American CIA, since their detainment in May 2009.

Pakistan is a signatory of the:

Please institute an independent and impartial public inquiry into the reported cases of torture and illegal detention and bring those responsible to justice.

We request that all prisoners against whom there are criminal charges be given a prompt and fair trial and that all legal safeguards available under Pakistani law are fully and equally applied to them.

It is essential to note that the Pakistani legal justice system is at risk of losing all credibility as well as a damaged public image internationally.

I look forward to your reply regarding this urgent matter.

Yours sincerely,

[Your signature]
[Your name]

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b) Turkish Ambassador Fax:+44-207 584-6235 or Email: tckons@btclick.com

[Your name]
[Your address]

His Excellency Mr Mehmet Yigit Alpoga
Rutland Lodge
Rutland Gardens Knigtsbrigde
London
SW7 1BW
United Kingdom
[Date]

His Excellency Mr. Mehmet Yigit Alpoga

Re: Turkish citizens tortured in Pakistani secret prisons

Pakistan is a signatory of the:

The suffering which these Turkish citizens have suffered is absolutely horrendous and unacceptable. These victims are looking to you to seek accountability and justice.

I look forward to your reply regarding this urgent matter.

Yours sincerely,

[Your signature]
[Your name]

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Holy Qur’an: Chapter 4, Verse 75

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