Equality Now calls on the Government of Pakistan to Protect 16 year old Gang-rape Victim Uzma Ayub and Ensure Justice in her Case

Date: 2011 Dec 15

Equality Now is deeply concerned for the safety of 16 year old Uzma Ayub from Karak in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan. Uzma was kidnapped in 2010 and held for a year during which she was repeatedly gang raped by a number of individuals allegedly including police officers and a civilian member of the Pakistani Army. Uzma is currently 8 months pregnant as a result of the rapes. On 9 December 2011, Uzma and her 25 year old brother, who had been supporting her efforts for justice, were attacked outside the Karak court house. Uzma’s brother, Alamzeb Marwat, was brutally shot dead. Despite Uzma’s younger brother witnessing the attack and naming those involved as relatives of some of the accused police officers, the senior investigating police officer refused to take action suggesting that it was difficult to ascertain who carried out the fatal attack. Following pressure from the media and local human rights groups, 5 men have now been arrested with one still at large.

Equality Now recommends the following action:
Please write urgently to the officials (for details see the link below) calling on them to ensure Uzma and her family’s immediate safety. Ask them to make certain that her case is fully and properly investigated and that all the perpetrators involved, including those who may have obstructed justice, are prosecuted to the full extent of the law, in accordance with Pakistan’s own Constitution and international obligations. Similarly call on them to ensure that all those responsible for the murder of Uzma’s brother Alamzeb are swiftly and properly brought to justice and prosecuted. Ask that local organisations under threat are protected and any threats against them investigated and appropriately prosecuted. Request guarantees that the authorities will send clear messages that such criminal actions, particularly by those who should be upholding the law, will not be tolerated.

To take action and learn more, go to

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