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Pakistan, 10 May 2012: Former member of National Assembly issues fatwa against women human rights defenders

On 4 May 2012, former member of the Pakistan National Assembly, Mr Maulvi Abdul Haleem, associated with the United Council of Action (Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal Member) from Kohistan district, issued a threat and a fatwa against women human rights defenders operating in Kohistan district. Maulvi Abdul Haleem is a religious leader that has power in issuing religious decrees. He is an influential political and religious figure in Kohistan district and in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province.

The United Council of Action is a coalition of far right and Islamist political parties in Pakistan, consisting of Islamic Party (Jamaat Islami), Assembly of Pakistani Clergy (Jamiat Ulema-e-Pakistan), Assembly of Islamic Clergy (Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam), Assembly of Followers of the Sayings of the Prophet (Jamiat-e-Ahle Hadith), and Pakistan Islami Tehrik.

During the Friday sermon which took place on 4 May 2012 in Kohistan, Maulvi Abdul Haleem issued a fatwa and warned that women working in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) will not be allowed to enter Kohistan and that violators would be forcibly married off to locals. He reportedly said that: if women who are working in NGOs enter Kohistan, we won't spare them and will solemnise their marriage with local men. He further stated that it was against the teaching of Islam that a woman receive an education and use it to gain employment.

Maulvi Abdul Haleem stated that if NGOs wanted to work for women's development, they should spend money through government departments. He added: We won't let them influence our women in the name of empowerment and financial support. He reportedly highlighted that the killing of women in the name of honour was a local custom and religious practice.

Front Line Defenders is gravely concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of women human rights defenders operating in Kohistan district and sees this fatwa as part of the ongoing harassment and threats against women human rights defenders in Pakistan. Front Line Defenders has documented that fatwas have been issued in the past against women human rights defenders operating in Swat district, where they continue to be vilified and branded by political and religious figures as women of negative character, as sex deprived women, and as sex workers.

Front Line Defenders calls on the authorities in Pakistan to:

1. Carry out an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the fatwa and threat made by former member of National Assembly, Maulvi Abdul Haleem, in association with the United Council of Action, against women human rights defenders operating in Kohistan, with a view to publishing the results and bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards;
   
2. Take measures to ensure that government officials or other public figures refrain from making any statements or declarations stigmatising the legitimate work of women human rights defenders in Pakistan;
   
3. Take all necessary measures to guarantee the physical and psychological integrity and security of women human rights defenders in Kohistan and Swat districts;
   
4. Guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights defenders in Pakistan are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions.

A sample letter for action and address to be sent to can be found on our web at

http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/18280/action