STATEMENT on Sabeen Mahmud’s murder From concerned members of LUMS faculty and student body

Last night, we heard the shocking news of Sabeen Mahmud’s callous murder in Karachi following a debate on Balochistan. The debate, held at T2F, was entitled “Unsilencing Balochistan – Take 2”. As is now well known, this session was inspired by a roundtable on Balochistan to be held at LUMS on 9 April with the same title and same guests, but banned at the eleventh hour by state agencies.

While at this stage there is no direct evidence linking her murder to the Balochistan debate, the coincidence is chilling. It certainly contributes to further suppressing of any open and democratic debate on Balochistan. Concerned LUMS faculty and students express their deepest grief for the loss of a courageous, brave woman, whose only “crime” was to defend constitutional rights, most notably freedom of expression. We unreservedly condemn her targeted assassination, and call on the state to promptly investigate the circumstances and author(s) of her murder.

Concerned LUMS faculty and students see this murder as yet another evidence of the silencing of any and all dissident voices in Pakistan, and the stifling of public space. We reiterate their unwavering support for human rights guaranteed by the very constitution of Pakistan. Freedom of expression and of assembly, and the right to freely discuss issues of national importance, are not privileges granted to a few: they are the rights of all.

Five bullets in Karachi will not silence what Sabeen Mahmud stood for, nor will it weaken our resolve to defend and uphold human rights, or our commitment to justice for all in Pakistan.

 

Lahore, 25 April 2015.

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Category: Media Monitoring