So you’ve come across my story and have been introduced to the horrifying concept of enforced disappearances. If you have the least bit of conscience, you would want to do something.

Here are some practical steps you can take:

Educate Yourself

Despite thousands of people being forcibly disappeared, a shocking majority of Pakistani public is still not up to date with the whole issue. There are many stigmas, misunderstandings or straight up ignorance regarding something that could even easily befall them.

What is it? 

• An enforced disappearance is the secret abduction or imprisonment of a person by a state or political organization. 
• It can also be done by a third party with the authorization, support, or consent of a state / political organization. 
• The most painful aspect is the refusal to acknowledge the person’s fate and whereabouts, not giving a chance of fair trial and keeping the victim outside the protection of the law.

Did you know?

Pakistani law requires that no one should be detained beyond 24 hours without production in a court, and an illegal detention is punishable by death!
However, no one has ever been charged or punished in Pakistan for this atrocious crime against humanity.

• According to the Commission of Missing Persons established by the Government more than 8000 citizens to date have become the victim of enforced disappearances in Pakistan. The actual number of cases are much more than reported.
  
• Thousands of children, wives, old mothers & fathers are waiting for years in the hope to be reunited with their disappeared loved-ones. They have no contact with their family members and have no knowledge of their wellbeing.
  

Take Action!

1.Support campaigns/accounts on social media which are demanding Release of Missing Persons eg #ReleaseMissingPersons #EndEnforcedDisappearances

2.Help Missing Persons families around you.

3.Join protests and demonstrations, even if for a short while! 

4.Support Defense of Human Rights and other similar organizations.

5.Spread awareness on this issue.

6. Last but definitely not least, spare a moment, raise your hands and pray sincerely for the thousands of grieving families to be able to reunite with their loved ones.

Think…

What would be the effect on your family if a loved one disappeared this suddenly, without being charged of any crime? Never produced in a court? Never allowed to hire a lawyer? And never allowed to speak to their family….and this goes on for YEARS!

All this in TOTAL VIOLATION of the laws and constitution of Pakistan.

As a responsible Pakistani citizen, or even as a human being, it is your duty to raise your voice for justice and basic rights. By remaining silent, are you not becoming a party to this heinous crime?

No action is too small. Forcibly disappeared persons and their families need all the support they can get.

They want us to disappear along with our loved ones. We need you to see us. Join the struggle.

We Refuse To Disappear.

Below is a practical handout for spreading awareness: save and share.