KarachiRights activists’ efforts to save death row convict Shafqat Hussain paid off on Wednesday night, just hours before he was scheduled to be hanged, as the president granted him a lifeline by staying his execution for an indefinite period.Earlier, many citizens gathered at Teen Talwar on Wednesday demanding putting off
By our correspondents
March 19, 2015
Karachi Rights activists’ efforts to save death row convict Shafqat Hussain paid off on Wednesday night, just hours before he was scheduled to be hanged, as the president granted him a lifeline by staying his execution for an indefinite period. Earlier, many citizens gathered at Teen Talwar on Wednesday demanding putting off the execution of death-row convict Shafqat Hussain on the ground that he was a juvenile at the time when he was handed down the capital punishment. A social media campaign, #SaveShafqat, is also under way to compel the authorities to stop his hanging. Hussain was convicted in 2004 for the kidnapping and murder of a seven-year-old boy. According to his family, he was 14 at the time. A similar rally was organised outside the President House in Islamabad led by prominent rights activist Tahira Abdullah. Child rights activists say that the execution of a juvenile offender would be against the country’s law. “We demand either a pardon or staying his execution until the matter is further investigated,” said Rana Asif Habib, a Karachi-based child rights activist associated with Child Rights Movement. Habib said Hussain was convicted on the basis of a “confession” after being subjected to torture for nine days by police. Asad Iqbal Butt, the vice-chairperson of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, also appealed to the president and the prime minister to intervene into the matter and spare Hussain’s life. “Hussain’s conviction was in violation of Pakistan’s obligation under the Convention on the Rights of the Child that prohibits State parties from imposing the death penalty for offences supposedly committed by an underage person,” Butt told The News. On social media, prominent personalities had also made emotional pleas with the hashtag #SaveShafqat. Sherry Rehman, a Pakistan People Party’s leader tweeted: “Clemency for Shafqat Hussain is obtainable if President of Pakistan signs off on a mercy doc by Dir Legal @ the Presidency.” Independent filmmaker Tazeen Bari also produced a video titled ‘“What were you like when you were 14” featuring individuals, including prominent activist Jibran Nasir, sharing their experiences at that age.
#SaveShafqat Raza Rumi @Razarumi #ShafqatHussain did not get proper legal representation.Sentenced at age 14 after torture. His hanging is a crime itself. #SaveShafqat
Jibran Nasir @MJibranNasir Fed Govt passing the buck to Sindh Govt, Sindh Govt passing it back. No one knows who has authority to #SaveShafqat and suspend sentence
fatima bhutto @fbhutto When they speak of things like democracy and rights, let it be remembered that the Sindh government did nothing to save a juvenile's life
Nadia Jamil @NJLahori A poor man is a worthless dog not worthy of evidence or a fair trial. Children can be tortured & unconstitutionally hanged. Justice denied
Saniya M. Ali @SaniyaMujahid Despite losing 141 innocent children 3 months ago, we seem to have no qualms willfully sending off another one to the gallows #SaveShafqat
Babar Sattar @Babar_Sattar One stung by death penalty at 14 about to hang. Humungous gap btw rulers & compassion/empathy. Our Pakistan. Very ugly what we have become.
Marvi Sirmed @marvisirmed Murder charge on #Shafqat was dropped by Sindh High Court. His current conviction is for kidnap for ransom. #SaveShafqat
