By M.E. Dodge
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -In response to the beating by police of a suspected thief, the Supreme Court directed that all provincial administrations form committees and create a report by March 11 to indicate the degree and extent of police torture of citizens in all regions. Chief Justice, Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry, ordered the Punjab police chief to take stern action against the cops involved in the torture of people at the police stations.

The Supreme Court’s mandate is the result of five police officials in the Pakistani province of Punjabm, who whipped and beat a citizen who was suspected of stealing rice. The man was one of four suspected in the incident. The officials were arrested after footage was released and then aired on a widely broadcasted network of national TV channels, and showed the officers severely whipping the man accused of stealing rice. The footage shows one policeman holding the legs of a victim, while another stands on his hands.

Infuriated human rights activists claim that the incident highlights a common practice by Pakistani police, who have a long-standing reputation for brutality and torture. Those who have spoken out condemning the incident worry that despite government efforts, the acts will continue to occur. Asma Jahangir, head of the influential Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, called the actions of this event “barbaric,” and advocated for harsh punishments for those involved.

Inspector General of Police, Punjab Tariq Saleem Dogar, said in a press release that every police officer would be taken across the board and not a minor act of the accused officer would be tolerated. Dogar commended the response of the media, he stated that “[I] come to know many incidents through media,” and in this incident, the media was a critical role in creating awareness about criminal acts directed toward the general public. 

In discussing the event, Dogar said that the acts of barbarity and inhuman torture by police were the result of absence of a proper system of accountability in the Police Department, lack of supervision by senior officers and weaknesses at police station level.

Punjab’s law minister, Rana Sanaullah, assured Pakistanis in an interview with Dunya television, that appropriate legal action was being taken, and that the officers “will not remain in the police force.”

For more information, please see:

BBC World News – Police filmed beating robbery suspects – 5 March, 2010

Daily Times – ‘Law of the jungle’ prevalent in country, says CJP – 5 March 2010

Pakistan Times –SC directs for submission of report in Chiniot police torture case – 5 March 2010