[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

April 16



SINGAPORE:

Man charged with brother's murder


Singaporeans were charged with murder in 2 separate cases at the State Courts 
on Wednesday (April 15).

Ng Yao Wei, 21, was charged with murdering his brother Ng Yao Cheng, 26, at 
about 10.55pm on Monday at their Choa Chu Kang condominium home.

The younger Ng, who reportedly graduated from a polytechnic recently, had 
apparently killed his brother after an argument.

In a separate case, Pua Hak Chuan, 35, and Tan Hui Zhen, 31, also face the 
death penalty if they are convicted of murder.

The pair are accused of killing Annie Ee Yu Lian in a flat in Woodlands Avenue 
9 at about 9.38am on Monday. Ee, who was 26 and worked as a waitress at 
Causeway Point, was found dead in the 3rd-floor flat that the 3 of them are 
believed to have shared.

(source: channelnewsasia)






INDONESIA:

Govt urged to end death penalty following Saudi execution


The execution of Siti Zaenab, a domestic worker convicted of killing her 
employer in Saudi Arabia, should become the point at which the Indonesian 
government ends the death penalty, says an NGO advocating for the rights of 
Indonesian workers abroad.

Migrant Care said preserving the death penalty had led the government to lose 
its moral legitimacy to push other countries to release Indonesian citizens on 
death row.

"This [an end to the death penalty] would be an initial step to urge other 
countries not to apply the death penalty for Indonesian migrant workers," it 
said.

According to the NGO's data, 290 migrant workers working in 5 countries, namely 
China, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Qatar, are involved in legal 
problems and facing the threat of capital punishment. Of the total, 59 cases 
have reached a final verdict.

"We are urging the Indonesian government to condemn Saudi Arabia," Migrant Care 
said in a press release on Wednesday.As a protest, she said, the Indonesian 
government must declare the Saudi Arabian ambassador to Indonesia persona non 
grata for the country's failure to notify Indonesian authorities before the 
execution of Siti Zaenab.

Siti Zaenab was beheaded by Saudi authorities at 10 a.m. local time on Tuesday 
in Madina, Saudi Arabia.

Migrant Care said the execution was a serious human rights violation as the 
right to life of every human must be guaranteed. Moreover, Siti Zaenab killed 
her employer in self defense following the torture she had often received in 
the 2nd year of her contract. Siti Zaenab had told her family about the torture 
in her letters home.

Migrant Care said Siti Zaenab's execution violated the Vienna Convention and 
diplomatic ethics as the Saudi Arabia government carried out the execution 
without first notifying Indonesian representatives in the country.

"The government must improve its diplomacy in defending Indonesians threatened 
with execution abroad," it said, adding that Indonesia must continue its 
moratorium on the dispatch of migrant workers to Saudi Arabia.

(source: The Jakarta Post)

****************

Jakarta faces new death penalty outrage


Indonesian officials are defending their position on the death penalty as they 
try to quell anger over the execution of an Indonesian woman in Saudi Arabia.

It comes as Jakarta readies to execute 10 people, including Myuran Sukumaran 
and Andrew Chan, whose Bali Nine smuggling plot was foiled 10 years ago on 
Friday.

Siti Zaenab's beheading on Tuesday has Jakarta facing renewed accusations of 
double standards.

Jakarta has protested Saudi Arabia's failure to give notice of its execution of 
the domestic worker, who it's believed was suffering from a mental illness when 
she killed her employer in self-defence in 1999.

Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman Arrmanatha Nasir says it wasn't the 
punishment, but the lack of warning they protested.

Mr Nasir last month said the matter of Chan and Sukumaran was "not a matter of 
negotiation," after turning down a prisoner exchange deal.

On Thursday however, he detailed at length the efforts Indonesia had taken to 
save Ms Siti's life, which included 100 measures since 1999.

"Routinely we went there, trying to communicate, to persuade the family," Mr 
Nasir said.

"We also offered diyat (blood money).

"But if we offer and they still refuse, still don't want to give a number, how 
can we force them?"

Human rights advocates fear that with its practice of executions - 6 people 
went to the firing squad in January - Jakarta has lost its moral standing to 
save 229 citizens on death row overseas.

Haris Azhar, of rights group Kontras, paid his respects to Ms Siti's grieving 
family.

But he added there was an element of "karma" for the Indonesian government.

"They've failed to protect the right to live and so, its citizen received this 
karma," he said.

"Not only the right to live, even the right to information has been ignored by 
the Indonesian government, and now, Saudi Arabia did not give procedural rights 
to the Indonesian government.

"It's very saddening. I think it's time for the Foreign Minister, Ms Retno, the 
president and all involved in this to evaluate themselves."

Al Araf, of rights group Imparsial, agreed Ms Siti's death should force the 
government into a rethink.

"The president should also be able to make a correction due to these political 
dynamics domestically and abroad," he said.

Mr Nasir says Indonesia merely works within the legal frameworks at home and 
overseas.

"We're implementing our laws and we are adhering to our constitution, we have 
to protect our citizens abroad."

No date has been set for Chan and Sukumaran's execution by firing squad, but 
authorities have said it could happen later this month.

(source: AAP)

**********************

Bali 9 appeal: lawyer to push ahead with Constitutional Court challenge


The Indonesian lawyer for the Bali 9 men on death row has vowed to push ahead 
with a Constitutional Court challenge even if the 2 Australians are executed.

However Professor Todung Mulya Lubis, a prominent human rights lawyer in 
Indonesia, said he had asked Attorney-General H.M. Prasetyo to respect the 
legal process and not proceed with the executions until the outcome of the 
challenge was known.

He had requested to meet the Attorney-General but had been told he was too 
busy.

Profesor Mulya said constitutional court rulings were usually not retrospective 
and therefore would not directly affect Chan and Sukumaran's case.

"But we are talking about the life of people. If we ignore that it would be 
degrading the spirit of human rights."

Professor Mulya said the Attorney-General's spokesman, Tony Spontana, had told 
the media the executions would take place after the Asian-African conference, 
to be held in Indonesia from April 19 until April 24.

"Whether it's true or not only God knows because they keep saying over and over 
they will do the executions but they keep changing their position."

Professor Mulya said Chan and Sukumaran were the first people he had 
represented who were facing the death penalty.

He admitted to being shocked when President Joko Widodo rejected their clemency 
pleas in January without giving any reasons.

"Why am I pushing so hard [to fight their case]?" an impassioned Professor 
Mulya asked at a press conference on the constitutional court challenge.

"If I was in the shoes of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran I would want the 
right to know why my clemency had been rejected. This is not only for these 2 
young men it's for others who deserve to know the grounds. This is for the 
constitutional process in Indonesia. We have to give reasons. We have to make 
it more humane. Clemency rejection is not about dehumanisation."

Chan and Sukumaran's legal team is asking the Constitutional Court to specify 
that the president must give reasons for clemency rejections under the clemency 
law.

The court action is being undertaken in conjunction with Indonesian human 
rights Organisations Kontras, Imparsial and Inisiator Muda.

Kontras spokesman Haris Azhar questioned why Indonesia was so eager to execute 
people.

He criticized the blanket rejection of the clemency pleas of drug felons,saying 
each of the 10 immediately facing the firing squad had individual cases that 
should be considered.

"We don't want to have the president making decisions as if he was committing 
genocide," Mr Haris said.

He also accused authorities of being secretive when it came to the death 
penalty.

Kontras was told by the Attorney General's office it could not have a list of 
those on death row because it was "classified" and death penalty cases could no 
longer be accessed on the Supreme Court website.

"I think people should be given the biggest opportunity to defend their lives. 
Unlike what we have today where information is not easy to get."

The press conference comes as Indonesian human rights group Migrant Care called 
on Indonesia to abolish capital punishment in the wake of the shock beheading 
of Indonesian maid Siti Zaenab in Saudi Arabia.

Zaenab, who had a suspected mental illness, was executed on Tuesday after she 
was found guilty of murdering her employer in 1999.

"The execution of Siti Zaenab Wahid, should provide momentum for the Indonesian 
Government to stop the practice of capital punishment in Indonesia," Migrant 
Care executive director Anis Hidayah said.

"The application of the death penalty at home will only make the Government 
lose its moral legitimacy to urge other countries to free Indonesian nationals 
who are on death row."

The Indonesian government issued a statement protesting against the Saudi 
Arabian authorities' failure to notify them or Siti Zainab's family before 
carrying out her execution.

Zaenab was sentenced to death in 2001. However after lobbying from former 
Indonesian president Abdurrahman Wahid, Saudi Arabia agreed to wait until her 
children were old enough to decide whether she should be pardoned.

The Indonesian government offered 2 billion rupiah (AU$200,000) in blood money 
and 3 Indonesian presidents - including Joko Widodo - made fruitless 
representations to save her life.

Migrant Care's Ms Anis said there were at least 290 Indonesian migrant workers 
facing execution in Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, China and Qatar, 59 of 
whom had already been sentenced to death.

Meanwhile, Norwegian prime minister Erna Solberg asked Mr Joko to halt the 
executions when she met him for bilateral talks on Tuesday.

Norwegian academics worked with Sukumaran and Chan to introduce vocational 
courses at Bali's Kerobokan jail, including art classes.

They also held regular art auctions and exhibitions of the inmates' work to 
raise money for the rehabilitation program.

(source: Sydney Morning Herald)






SAUDI ARABIA----execution

Saudi Arabia Beheads Drug Trafficker


The kingdom has executed 61 people thus far this year, compared to 87 in all of 
2014.

Saudi Arabia on Wednesday beheaded one of its citizens for drug trafficking, 
adding to what Amnesty International has called a ???macabre spike??? in the 
kingdom's executions this year.

The sentence against Khalid al-Rowaili was carried out as Jakarta summoned 
Saudi Arabia's ambassador over the execution a day earlier of an Indonesian 
domestic worker for murder. Rowaili was convicted of smuggling amphetamine 
pills and was executed in the northwestern region of Jawf, according to a 
statement from the Interior Ministry carried by the official Saudi Press 
Agency.

He was the 61st person executed in the kingdom so far this year, after 87 death 
sentences carried out in the whole of 2014, according to AFP tallies.

Rowaili's beheading by the sword follows the execution on Tuesday of Siti 
Zainab, a domestic worker convicted of stabbing and beating a Saudi woman to 
death.

London-based Amnesty International said Zainab was executed despite suspicions 
she was mentally ill, while an Indonesian migrant workers' group said she acted 
in self defense against an abusive employer.

Jakarta complained that her family and consular staff were not given prior 
notice of Zainab's execution.

Amnesty's 2014 global report on the death penalty ranks Saudi Arabia among the 
top 5 executioners in the world. The Interior Ministry has cited deterrence as 
a reason for carrying out the punishment.

(source: Newsweek Pakistan)






IRAN----executions

43 Executions in 3 Days: 1 Juvenile and 1 Public Execution Among Wednesday's 6 
Executions----At least 43 prisoners have been executed during the last 3 days 
in Iran. A juvenile offender with serious mental illness was among the 5 who 
were executed in Karaj on Wednesday. Reports indicate that more mass-executions 
might take place in Karaj the coming weeks. Iran Human Rights (IHR) strongly 
calls on the international community to immediately react.


1 man was hanged publicly in the city of Shiraz (southern Iran) Wednesday 
morning April 15, reported the Iranian state media. The man who was identified 
as "Rashid D" (35 year old) was convicted of Moharebeh (waging war against God) 
for armed robbery, said the report.

According to IHR's sources 5 prisoners were hanged in the Rajaishahr prison of 
Karaj (west of Tehran) early Wednesday morning April 15. All of the 5 prisoners 
were convicted of murder. One of the prisoners, identified as Javad Saberi, was 
reportedly sentenced to death for a murder he had committed when he was under 
18 years of age. Javad Saberi had a serious mental illness and had stayed at 
"Amin Abad" mental hospital, according to these sources. The other prisoners 
were Farzad Zanjaninejad, Morteza Saber, and 2 men who were not identified by 
name. One of the men was an Afghan citizen.

Execution of Morteza Saber was announced by the state media while the other 4 
executions have not been officially announced yet.

In addition to Wednesday's executions, 37 prisoners have been executed in the 
Rajaishahr and Ghezelhesar prisons of Karaj on Monday and Tuesday 13. and 14. 
April. All these prisoners were convicted of drug-related charges. Reports 
indicate that more mass-executions might take place in these prisons in the 
coming weeks.

Iran Human Rights strongly condemns the wave of execution by the Iranian 
authorities and calls on the international community to react. Mahmood 
Amiry-Moghaddam, the spokesperson of IHR said: "Lack of condemnation by the 
international community sends the wrong signal to the Iranian authorities. The 
world's must not shut its eyes on the Iranian authorities' on going 
mass-executions".

26 executions in Rajaishahr prison: 17 prisoners were transferred to solitary 
confinement on Saturday April 11. They were hanged 2 days later, on Monday 
April 13. They were all sentenced to death for drug-related charges. All of 
them had been transferred from Ghezelhesar prison following a prison riot last 
year. 9 other prisoners were transferred to solitary confinement on Sunday 
April 12 and executed on Tuesday April 14. All the prisoners were convicted of 
drug-related charges. 4 of the prisoners are identified as: Sajjad Mokhberi, 
Ali Khandani, Rahim Najafi and Reza Ghorbani.

11 executions in Ghezelhesar prison: The prisoners were from ward 2 of 
Ghezelhesar prison and were all arrested in connection to drug related charges 
in Shahriar (a county in Tehran). 2 of the prisoners were identified as:Bayat 
Zahmatkesh and Masoum Ali Miri.

Official Iranian media have announced execution of 8 of the prisoners.

(source: Iran Human Rights)



PAKISTAN----executions

3 death row convicts executed in Pakistan


3 more death row convicts were executed in different jails of Punjab early 
Thursday morning, ARY News reported.

2 convicts were hanged to death in Gujranwala district while the 3rd was 
executed in Faisalabad jail of Punjab.

2 convicts hanged in Gujranwala jail were Ejaz and Abdul Jabbar. Ejaz had 
killed a person in year 1995 while Abdul Jabbar murdered a man back in 2001.

A death row convict Zafar Iqbal was hanged in Faisalabad Central Jail. Zafar 
had killed a woman during a robbery attempt back in 2005.

The executions of 2 death row convicts in Faisalabad namely Nizam Deen and 
Muhammad Hussain were deferred as their relatives presented a compromise 
agreement to the Jail officials.

Pakistan lifted the moratorium on death penalty on Dec. 17, a day after 
Pakistani Taliban gunmen attacked Army Public School in Peshawar and killed 134 
students and 19 adults.

The moratorium, in force since 2008, was initially lifted only in terrorism 
cases. But the government extended the order in March, directing provincial 
governments to proceed with hangings for all death row prisoners who have 
exhausted their appeals and clemency petitions.

(source: ARY News)

****************

Number of executions in Pakistan reaches 75


A total of 75 condemned prisoners have been executed across the country after 5 
more death row convicts were hanged to death in various jails across Punjab on 
Thursday morning.

The sources said that 2 death row convicts Majid and Qaiser were executed in 
Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail in 2 separate murder cases.

The convict Majid was accused of murdering 6 people in Wah Cantt while Qaiser 
was awarded death penalty for killing a colleague.

Likewise, 2 death row inmates Aijaz and Abdul Jabbar were hanged till death at 
the Central Jail in Gujranwala.

Both the convicts were found guilty of killing 2 persons in 1995 and 2001 
respectively.

While Zafar Iqbal, convicted of murdering a woman who resisted during a robbery 
in 2005, was executed in the Faisalabad Central Jail.

With the latest execution, 75 death row convicts including 60 in Punjab have so 
far been hanged till death in various jails across the country after the deadly 
attack on the Peshawar's Army Public School on December 16 last year.

Following the incident, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif lifted the moratorium on 
the death penalty in terrorism related cases. Later, the federal government 
completely reinstated capital punishment for all offences that entail the death 
penalty.

(source: Dispatch News)

*********************

Pakistan's Supreme Court Suspends Executions Of 6 Militants


Pakistan's Supreme Court has suspended the executions of 6 Islamic militants 
who were sentenced to death by controversial new military courts.

The militants received the death sentence earlier in April under the first 
rulings by the new military courts, while a 7th convicted militant was 
sentenced to life in prison.

The executions were suspended on April 16 after the Supreme Court Bar 
Association raised questions about constitutional change in January that 
established the military courts.

The court is due to consider those constitutional issues on April 22.

Pakistan's parliament has said the military courts would issue rulings in 
terrorism cases for 2 years.

9 military courts were created in the aftermath of the December 16 school 
massacre by Pakistani Taliban in the northwestern city of Peshawar that killed 
134 students and 19 adult staff at the school.

Authorities lifted Pakistan's moratorium on the death penalty after the 
massacre.

More than 50 convicted terrorists who were on death row, all of whom were 
sentenced earlier by civilian courts, have been executed since the moratorium 
was lifted.

(source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty)

*******************

SC stays death sentences awarded to terrorists by military courts


Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday suspended death penalties awarded to 
hardcore terrorists by the military courts constituted under the National 
Action Plan to fight terrorism.

The full court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Nasirul Mulk 
suspended the death penalties until the fate of 21st constitutional amendment 
is decided.

"The execution of military courts' death sentences, those which have already 
been awarded and those which will be awarded, is suspended," Chief Justice 
Nasir ul Mulk said.

Those convicted by military courts could appeal against their sentences, he 
added.

A military spokesman was not immediately available to comment on the Supreme 
Court's decision.

9 military courts were established in January, after militants attacked a 
school in the northwestern city of Peshawar, killing 134 pupils and 19 adults.

Amid popular pressure to crack down on militants after the school attack in 
December, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif championed the new courts in parliament 
and lifted a moratorium on the death penalty.

More than 50 people have been executed since then, after being convicted by 
civilian courts.

The new courts expanded the military's already considerable powers, giving it 
the authority to try civilians accused of terrorism.

Human rights groups say convictions by any courts in Pakistan can be highly 
unreliable because of an antiquated criminal justice system, the use of torture 
to extract confessions and shoddy police investigation.

Critics have raised questions about how fair and accountable the military 
courts are and the Supreme Court Bar Association had filed a legal challenge 
against them.

It had requested a stay of execution for those convicted, pending a decision on 
its challenge.

These military courts were set up under the 21st constitutional amendment, 
which has been challenged in the Supreme Court by Supreme Court Bar Association 
and others.

(source: Pakistan Today)

***********************

Asma Jahangir files petition against death sentences by military courts


Supreme Court (SC) has stayed the execution of condemned prisoners, including 6 
militants convicted by military courts.

The court has maintained "the execution will remain stayed unless the court 
gives decision." Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Nasir ul Mulk remarked "as we 
are hearing the matter of challenging some amendment, therefore, it is highly 
essential that these convictions be stayed. If we accept these petitions and 
someone is hanged in the meantime then how he will return."

Justice Jawwad S Khawaja has remarked "under article 9 of the constitution, 
protection is provided to the life of that person. Why there is any need to 
show haste. These sentences can be implemented later. Let us decide first." 
Justice Asif Saeed Khosa remarked "when SC had declared military courts 
illegal, then 2 persons were hanged till that time. This is very sorrowful 
matter. We don???t want such thins now."

A full bench of SC comprising 17 judges and presided over by Chief Justice of 
Pakistan (CJP) Nasir ul Mulk, took up for hearing a petition filed by Supreme 
Court Bar Association (SCBA) seeking interim order, for staying execution of 
condemned prisoners Thursday.

The court inquired from Attorney General (AG) that petition has come seeking 
staying of execution of prisoners, who have been awarded death penalties by 
military courts what he says about it.

AG said military courts are authorized under 21st constitutional amendment to 
convict the accused in cases like this. This impression is wrong that some 
institutions, including army are sacred cow. Constitution has conferred this 
mandate upon military courts. Whosoever are court-martialed under clause 133-b 
of army act, has right to resort to appellate forum.

CJP remarks "you know it well that we are hearing the case related to 21st 
constitutional amendment, therefore it is necessary that execution of the 
persons be stayed under this petition."

AG while objecting to it said "you cannot do so. When the accused have every 
right to file appeal plea then why are you staying it." Justice Asif Saeed 
Khosa remarked "under article 10-A of the constitution fair trial has been 
ensured. Where will it stand? We don't want that someone is executed prior to 
court's decision."

The court issuing interim order on the petition filed by Asma Jahangir stayed 
the execution of 6 persons who were convicted and awarded death penalty by 
military courts. Asma Jahangir on behalf of SCBA filed another miscellaneous 
petition, in a case against the military courts set up under 21st 
constitutional amendment making federal government respondent.

She has taken plea in this petition that "it has come in media that military 
court has awarded death penalty to 6 militants and life imprisonment to a 
militant. Media has also reported that no other information is available in 
respect of the convicts. 21st constitutional amendment cannot undo fundamental 
rights enshrined in the constitution. All the amendments are introduced in the 
light of fundamental human rights. Did the military court try to provide 
information to the accused by adhering to articles 10, 10-A, 12, 13 and 14 of 
the constitution. Whether the arrested persons were enemy aliens? Were the 
accused produced before the magistrate within 24 hours. Prisoners cannot be 
deprived of the right of fair trial under article 10 of the constitution."

Asma Jahangir prayed the court to issue, interim order staying execution of 
militants sentenced to death by military courts. The hearing of the case was 
adjourned till April 22 on receipt of information of heart attack in respect of 
wife of a sitting judge of full bench of court.

*********************

Killer of wife, daughter gets death penalty


Different courts awarded death sentence to 2 convicts involved in double murder 
case while 2 others got black warrant in a gang rape case. Asghar Ali had 
killed his wife and daughter. After hearing, Additional and Sessions Judge 
Abual Hasanat Muhammad declared him guilty and awarded death sentence on 2 
counts. In another case of gang rape, anti-terrorism court Judge Bushra Zaman 
issued black warrant of Abid Maqsood. According to FIR they had raped a 
15-year-old girl in Begowala Sialkot on 29 August 1997.

(source for both: The Nation)

****************************

I stand by my words, Mirza tells JIT


Former worker of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Saulat Mirza, who is facing 
the noose in triple homicide case, says he stands by his previous remarks about 
the party leadership, according to sources.

The death row prisoner who is scheduled to be executed on April 30 in 
Balochistan's Machh jail said this before a Joint Interrogation Team (JIT) that 
grilled him for at least 7 hours yesterday.

The team is tasked with assessing revelations of Mirza he made in a video 
statement hours before his scheduled hanging, prompting President Mamnoon 
Hussain to delay the execution.

Mirza was awarded death penalty in May 1999 for 1997 murder of MD Karachi 
Electric Supply Corporation - now K-Electric - Shahid Hamid, his driver, and 
security guard.

In his recorded video, Mirza claimed that MQM chief Altaf had ordered him to 
carry out the killings.

In the fresh interrogation, sources said, Mirza stands by his previous 
statements.

"Whatever I said was true, I stand by my words. It was voice of my heart, I 
didn't issue this statement under pressure but in hatred with party 
leadership," a source quoted Mirza as saying.

"I have no desire to get my death sentence abolished, I???m ready for 
punishment," he further said, according to the source.

(source: Pakistan Today)

********************

Restoration of death penalty will deter terrorism: Mamnoon


President Mamnoon Hussain has said that Pakistan's decision to lift moratorium 
on death penalty will act as a deterrent against terrorism.

"Lifting the moratorium is a deterrent to financiers and handlers of 
terrorism," he said during a meeting with a delegation of the German-South 
Asian Parliamentary Group of the German Parliament on Wednesday. Niels Annen, 
the group's chairman, led the delegation during the meeting held at the 
presidency.

The decision to lift the moratorium was based on the desire of people who had 
been demanding stern action against terrorists, he said.

Mr Hussain said that the country's policy on death penalty had been made in the 
light of its constitution and international laws.

The government lifted the 6-year moratorium in December 2014 and it is expected 
that the decision will lead to execution of about 8,000 death-row prisoners. 
The process has started and over 60 convicts have been hanged since the lifting 
of the moratorium.

Some western countries and human rights organisations have criticised the 
government for executing convicts of crimes other than terrorism.

"Terrorists have no religion and the need of the hour is to promote inter-faith 
harmony for world peace," the president said.

He said the Constitution guaranteed fundamental rights of all citizens 
irrespective of religion, race, caste, colour, creed or gender.

He told the delegation that the government was taking steps to prevent misuse 
of blasphemy law. "The law is non-discriminatory as it applies to both Muslims 
and non-Muslims alike."

On the country's role in war on terrorism, he said Pakistan had been the worst 
victim of terrorism as more than 60,000 innocent Pakistanis had lost their 
lives and the country had suffered the economic loss amounting to more than 
$100 billion.

Reiterating Pakistan's commitment to fighting terrorism and extremism, he said 
a National Action Plan had been formulated to effectively deal with the menace.

He said Operation Zarb-i-Azb against terrorists would continue until terrorism 
was eliminated and expressed satisfaction over the progress achieved so far.

The government, he said, had set up a National Commission on Human Rights to 
ensure an independent judiciary, free media and a vibrant civil society to 
protect human rights.

President Hussain said Pakistan held its relations with Germany in high esteem. 
"Pakistan seeks enhanced bilateral contacts, parliamentary exchanges, trade and 
cooperation in defence, counter-terrorism, energy and other fields," he said.

He said the government was keenly anticipating the visit of Chancellor Angela 
Merkel to Pakistan this year on the invitation of the prime minister.

Later, addressing a meeting at the National Defence University, the president 
said that challenges to national security needed to be tackled through a 
comprehensive and unified approach.

"Pakistan is going through difficult circumstances and facing multi-dimensional 
challenges, including terrorism, but the army is bravely fighting against 
militancy in tribal areas to restore peace in the country," he added.

(source: Dawn)