ISLAMABAD - The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday said that allegations of torture on the prisoners in Adiala Jail are not baseless as a confidential report termed the prison as a “concentration camp” and directed the National Commission for Human Rights to investigate the same. A single bench of IHC comprising Chief Justice of IHC Justice Athar Minallah said this in a written order in a petition moved by a woman Imtiaz Bibi, a mother who is aggrieved that her incarcerated son has been physically tortured and humiliated in Adiala Jail. The IHC bench mentioned in its order that the reports submitted by the representatives of the National Commission for Human Rights and Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences show that the grave allegations mentioned in the petition were, prima facie, not baseless.
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Justice Athar noted, “The confidential report submitted on the last date of hearing indicates as though the Central Prison, Rawalpindi is being managed as a ‘concentration camp’ rather being governed under the laws enforced to regulate the prisons.” “It appears that prisoners are being treated in an inhuman manner that amounts to grave violation of human rights,” said the bench. Therefore, the IHC bench directed the NCHR constituted under the Act of 2012 to inquire/investigate, in exercise of powers conferred under section 9 ibid, into the complaints of violation of human rights and negligence by the public servants in prevention of such grave violations. It further said that it is expected that the member, Punjab of the Commission will ensure that a report is submitted at the earliest.
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During the hearing, Afzal Latif, Secretary Ministry of Human Rights explained in detail the measures taken by the Ministry of Human Rights pursuant to the directions given in the judgment reported as “Khadim Hussain Vs Secretary, Ministry of Human Rights, etc.” He also said that the meeting of the Implementation Commission will be convened at the earliest and gave an assurance regarding implementation of the National Commission for Human Rights Act, 2012, particularly, the establishment of Human Rights Courts. Later, the bench deferred the hearing of the case till October 25 for further proceedings