Pak rights commission condemns killing of social worker, alleged blasphemer

Islamabad, July 6 (ANI): The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has condemned the killing of a social worker, Farida Afridi, and the recent burning to death of a man accused of blasphemy.

"It is a matter of grave concern that the risks facing human rights defenders and those working to ameliorate the lot of marginalised segments remain very high across the country," the commission said in a statement.

"HRCP is utterly shocked at the targeted killing of Farida Afridi, whose only crime was working for the uplift of women in an area where they need such help the most," it added.

Two armed men riding a bicycle in the northwest Pakistan shot Afridi in the head and fled.

According to The Daily Times, the ghastly murder is reminiscent of the killing on December 8, 2011, of Zarteef Afridi, a human rights defender and HRCP coordinator in Khyber Agency.

He too was shot dead by two men on a motorcycle.

The organization also condemned that killing of a mentally unstable man, who was accused of desecrating Koran.

The organization urged Pakistan Government to ensure safe working environment to human rights defenders all over the country.

"The HRCP would like to remind the government of its obligation to provide a safe working environment to human rights defenders all over the country, particularly more so in FATA, which faces about the worst turmoil in the country," it said. (ANI)