PTUDC Quetta campaign: Model letters

Hameed Khan, the leader of the Quetta civil secretariat strike, and the other arrested workers are still in jail. In Pakistan the PTUDC has stepped up its nationwide activity. However, international pressure has proved in the past to be decisive in getting the release of jailed trade unionists. Here we present three letters, written by Mikhail Doronenko from the Russian section of the PTUDC, and sent to Pakistani President Musharraf, the federal interior minister, and the governor of Buluchistan. We believe these to be model letters, and we encourage all our readers to follow this example.

As reported yesterday Hameed Khan, the leader of the Quetta civil secretariat strike, and the other arrested workers are still in jail. In Pakistan the PTUDC has stepped up its nationwide activity. However, international pressure has proved in the past to be decisive in geting the release of jailed trade unionists. Here we present three letters, written by Mikhail Doronenko from the Russian section of the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign, and sent to Pakistani President Musharraf, the federal interior minister, and the governor of Buluchistan. We believe these to be model letters, and we encourage all our readers to follow this example.

Please send copies of all protest and solidarity messages to the PTUDC: ptudc@nexlinx.net.pk
Also find out where the Pakistani embassy is in your country and send them a copy as well.

Sent to General Pervez Musharraf

ce@pak.gov.pk

Dear President Musharraf,

It has come to our notice that on April 22 a large number of police under command of SSP (Senior Superintendent of Police) attacked and baton-charged peaceful protesters in Quetta. After this, comrade Hameed Khan, city organiser of PTUDC and Press Secretary of BCSSA was arrested together with other workers and are still in police custody. The conflict arisies from the refusal of the authorities to respect what was agreed by them after the recent strike of the Buluchistan Central Secretariat workers.

We strongly protest against this disgraceful conduct, at a time when you claim to be restoring democracy in Pakistan. May we remind you, sir, that democracy includes the right to strike and demonstrate, and that the Baluchistan authorities are systematically violating these rights. These actions will not be passed over in silence. The entire workers' movement of Russia has now been alerted and all this will be publicly denounced everywhere.

The damage to Pakistan's international image will be considerable. The solution is in your hands. The local authorities in Baluchistan must be brought to heel and the prisoners released at once. That is the very minimum we could expect from a civilised country that claims to be moving towards democracy. Moreover, this whole situation has been brought about by the refusal of the authorities to honour the previous agreement signed by them. This must be immediately rectified and all sacked workers readmitted with no sanctions.

Unless you take the necessary steps to end the arbitrary behaviour of the Governor of Baluchistan, it will bring discredit upon the whole administration and reveal to the world that all the talk about democracy is just a hollow sham.

Respectfully yours,

Mikhail Doronenko,
On behalf of the Russian section of the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign.

Sent to the Interior Minister

minister@interior.gov.pk

Federal Interior Minister
Ministry of Interior
'R' Block, Federal Secretariat,
Islamabad, Pakistan

Dear Sir,

The following letter, which concerns you most directly, has been sent to Presifent Musharraf:

"Dear President Musharraf,

It has come to our notice that on April 22 a large number of police under command of SSP (Senior Superintendent of Police) attacked and baton-charged peaceful protesters in Quetta. After this, comrade Hameed Khan, city organiser of PTUDC and Press Secretary of BCSSA was arrested together with other workers and are still in police custody. The conflict arisies from the refusal of the authorities to respect what was agreed by them after the recent strike of the Buluchistan Central Secretariat workers.

We strongly protest against this disgraceful conduct, at a time when you claim to be restoring democracy in Pakistan. May we remind you, sir, that democracy includes the right to strike and demonstrate, and that the Baluchistan authorities are systematically violating these rights. These actions will not be passed over in silence. The entire workers' movement of Russia has now been alerted and all this will be publicly denounced everywhere.

The damage to Pakistan's international image will be considerable. The solution is in your hands. The local authorities in Baluchistan must be brought to heel and the prisoners released at once. That is the very minimum we could expect from a civilised country that claims to be moving towards democracy. Moreover, this whole situation has been brought about by the refusal of the authorities to honour the previous agreement signed by them. This must be immediately rectified and all sacked workers readmitted with no sanctions.

Unless you take the necessary steps to end the arbitrary behaviour of the Governor of Baluchistan, it will bring discredit upon the whole administration and reveal to the world that all the talk about democracy is just a hollow sham."

The leading role in these appalling events was played by SSP (Senior Superintendent of Police), who is presumably under your control. You must therefore be held responsible for these actions, which have provoked enormous indignation everywhere. Rest assured that all this will not be passed over in silence, and that the names of those responsible will be made known and will be the subject of universal condemnation.

On behalf of the workers of Russia, I request you to take immediate action to secure the release of all the prisoners and open disciplinary action against the officers concerned. Failure to do so will do immense damage to the international image of your country. It will also signify your approval for a gross violation of human rights, which we will not hesitate to make public.

Respectfully yours,

Mikhail Doronenko,
On behalf of the Russian section of the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign.

Sent to the Governor of Baluchistan

Mr. Justice (Retired) Amir Ul Mulk Mengal
Governor House,
Quetta,
Pakistan

Dear Sir,

It has come to our notice that on April 22 a large number of police under command of SSP (Senior Superintendent of Police) attacked and baton-charged peaceful protesters in Quetta. After this, comrade Hameed Khan, city organiser of PTUDC and Press Secretary of BCSSA was arrested together with other workers and are still in police custody.

WE HOLD YOU PERSONALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE ARBITRARY AND UNLAWFUL ACTIONS.

The conflict arisies from the refusal of the authorities to respect what was agreed by them after the recent strike of the Buluchistan Central Secretariat workers. We strongly protest against this disgraceful conduct, at a time when you claim to be restoring democracy in Pakistan.

May we remind you, sir, that democracy includes the right to strike and demonstrate, and that the Baluchistan authorities are systematically violating these rights. You should bear in mind that sooner or later you will be called to account for your actions. Do not imagine that these actions will not be passed over in silence. The entire workers' movement of Russia has now been alerted and all this will be publicly denounced everywhere.

The damage to Pakistan's international image will be considerable. If you wish to avoid the consequences, the solution is in your hands. The prisoners released at once and all sacked workers readmitted with no sanctions. Moreover, this whole situation has been brought about by the refusal of the authorities to honour the previous agreement signed by them. This must be immediately rectified.

Unless you act immediately to put things right, rest assured that these most disgraceful violations of human rights will be made known all over the world, and that YOUR NAME will be publicly associated with them.

Respectfully yours,

Mikhail Doronenko,
On behalf of the Russian section of the Pakistan Trade Union Defence Campaign.