PHF condemns targeted attacks against civilians, humanitarian agencies and staff and calls for renewed efforts by all parties to end impunity Islamabad, Pakistan, 7 May 2012 The Pakistan Humanitarian Forum is deeply shocked and saddened by the abduction and tragic killing of ICRC staff member, Mr. Khalil Rasjed Dale. On Sunday, 29 April 2012, ICRC confirmed that Mr. Dale was killed following his abduction outside ICRCs office in Quetta, Balochistan, on 5 January 2012. “This is an abhorrent act targeted against a committed humanitarian worker who has dedicated himself and his life to help others in need. We condemn his killing and all targeted violence against humanitarian organisations and personnel in the strongest terms possible�, said Aine Fay, PHF Chair The murder of Mr Khalil Rasjed Dale is the latest incident affecting the humanitarian community in Pakistan in a long line of targeted attacks against humanitarian organisations and personnel. The past four years has seen an increase in targeted attacks against national and international humanitarian organizations and staff across Pakistan by violent militant groups and criminals; in 2009 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa eight staff members of two humanitarian organization were shot dead in two separate targeted attacks on offices; in 2010 six staff members of one humanitarian agency were killed in a targeted attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and four humanitarian staff members were abducted and one murdered in an attack in Balochistan; in 2011 six staff members from a single project and eight staff members from one organization were abducted in two separate incidents in Balochistan; in the first two months of 2012 five humanitarian staff were abducted, one staff held hostage since 2011 was murdered, and two humanitarian personnel were shot dead in separate incidents in Balochistan, Sindh and Punjab Provinces. This tragic list represents only a small proportion of actual targeted violence against humanitarian agencies and personnel, from Pakistan and other countries, dedicated to providing life saving and life enhancing assistance to those suffering from conflict and disaster. To date none of the perpetrators have been captured or brought to justice, and, at this time seven humanitarian staff continue to be held hostage following their abductions in 2011 and 2012. This picture of violence against humanitarian organisations and staff is reflective of the violence that has been inflicted on hundreds of innocent people by militants and criminals across Pakistan in the same period. A fact finding report released in March 2012 observes that abduction for ransom is a serious business with hundreds of cases reported each year, figures are thought to be highest in FATA, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkwa, with a lower but significant numbers of abductions in Sindh and Punjab. Humanitarian and development organizations deliver essential support directly to the most vulnerable populations and therefore operate in remote and insecure areas. This trend of increased targeting of humanitarian aid organisations and personnel will further impede the ability of humanitarian agencies to provide life saving and life enhancing support to the most vulnerable population. Targeting of civilians and of humanitarian organisations and personnel is a clear atrocity and must not be tolerated.
PHF calls for: -
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the Pakistan Government, national and international community to condemn attacks on humanitarian organisations and staff; all actors to respect international law, Pakistani laws and customs and the neutrality of humanitarian organisations, to allow safe and unhindered access to humanitarian and development agencies and staff; the federal and provincial governments to take measures, in line with humanitarian principles of neutrality and independence, to ensure an enabling environment for humanitarian operations so that assistance can reach the most vulnerable.
<<<ENDS>>>>>>> Notes for Editors This Statement is endorsed by 47 of the 48 members of the Pakistan Humanitarian Forum. About PHF The Pakistan-Humanitarian Forum was formed to coordinate and strengthen the efforts of International NGOs working in disaster management. The forum collectively represents INGOs to the Government of Pakistan, United Nations, and the larger humanitarian and civil community, including the National Humanitarian Network of Pakistani NGOs and Community-Based Organizations. There are 48 member organizations of the PHF and 8 organizations with PHF observer status. http://pakhumanitarianforum.org For more information please contact the PHF on info@pakhumanitarianforum.org or 03455009574.