KANDAHAR CITY (SW): A number of Kandahar residence gathered in front of the provincial administration office on Sunday to protest against alleged torture on inmates in various prisons across the province.
The protesters believe law enforcement agencies were acting beyond the law and their jurisdictions to torture and even kill inmates without any legal procedure. Abdul Wahid, a protester told SW a shopkeeper was taken away by the police last week and later his body was found in a canal.
He and other protesters said this was not the first incident of its sort. “We have even seen people been kept in the prison for months without known charges”, he claimed.
Samim Khpalwak, spokesman for the provincial governor said in this that the government was aware about the allegations and investigating them. He added in some instances people blame the government for their internal feuds.
“If proven true, we would act accordingly, no one is beyond the law”, he said.
Abdul Qadir Noorzai, Director for the regional Independent Human Rights Commission (IHRC) mentioned that the Constitution grants the right to every citizen to speak for their defense.
“We raise the voice of those who are in need and have proof to back their stand, we cannot follow mere allegations and rumors”, he noted.
Lately, President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani had vowed to bring an end to the persecution of inmates in various prisons across the country. Analysts argue comprehensive reforms in the executive and judicial branch of the government are essential for that.
ENDS
