ID :
33583
Tue, 12/02/2008 - 17:56
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/33583
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HRW asks India, Pak to cooperate in Mumbai attack probe
New York, Dec 2 (PTI) Condemning terror attacks that killed nearly 200 people in India's financial hub Mumbai, an international rights group Tuesday asked the governments of India and Pakistan to cooperate in a "prompt and thorough investigation" to identify the perpetrators of the crime and bring them to justice.
"No political cause can ever justify such horrific and wanton violence," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch (HRW).
"After Mumbai, Marriott bombing in Islamabad, bombings in Delhi in September, and the many other attacks against civilians in India and Pakistan, now is the time for the leaders of both countries to work together to address this scourge," he said.
"Indians and Pakistanis have repeatedly been victims of
terror attacks," said Adams. "The two governments need to
respond with cool heads to such atrocities, beginning with
cooperation in the investigation and the prosecution of the
perpetrators. Terrorism is a problem that needs to be
addressed both within borders and regionally."
The HRW called on the Pakistan army and intelligence
services to cooperate with the Indian investigation, wherever
the evidence leads. There are concerns in India and elsewhere
about the commitment of the Pakistani state to shut down
militant groups who carry out terror attacks.
"Pakistan's foreign minister was right to say, 'We are
facing a common enemy,'" said Adams. "But on matters of
national security policy, the army and intelligence services
still call the shots in Pakistan and it's not clear if they
will allow the government to shut down groups in Pakistan who
may have been involved in the Mumbai attacks and other
outrages."
The rights groups asked the Indian government to take to
take a series of measures to deter such attacks in future
including better coordination in intelligence gathering,
sharing and dissemination, ending turf battles between the
central government and state governments and providing better
training and equipment to law enforcement officials.
In addition, the HRW suggested it to work with and,
where necessary, accept training and assistance from external
law enforcement agencies with a more sophisticated approach to
counter-terrorism work.
"After previous terror incidents there have been
widespread allegations that Indian security forces have
committed arbitrary arrests and torture," it said, adding that
Muslims have often been targeted.
"Given the criticism of the Indian counter-terror and
intelligence agencies, police investigators are under a lot of
pressure to find the masterminds and any accomplices to the
Mumbai attacks," said Adams.
"But they should not take the short-cut of torture or
rounding up the usual suspects. This has failed in the past to
solve crimes or prevent new attacks, and has only succeeded in
alienating minority communities. It is critical that any
detentions and prosecutions conform to India's constitution
and international law." PTI
"No political cause can ever justify such horrific and wanton violence," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch (HRW).
"After Mumbai, Marriott bombing in Islamabad, bombings in Delhi in September, and the many other attacks against civilians in India and Pakistan, now is the time for the leaders of both countries to work together to address this scourge," he said.
"Indians and Pakistanis have repeatedly been victims of
terror attacks," said Adams. "The two governments need to
respond with cool heads to such atrocities, beginning with
cooperation in the investigation and the prosecution of the
perpetrators. Terrorism is a problem that needs to be
addressed both within borders and regionally."
The HRW called on the Pakistan army and intelligence
services to cooperate with the Indian investigation, wherever
the evidence leads. There are concerns in India and elsewhere
about the commitment of the Pakistani state to shut down
militant groups who carry out terror attacks.
"Pakistan's foreign minister was right to say, 'We are
facing a common enemy,'" said Adams. "But on matters of
national security policy, the army and intelligence services
still call the shots in Pakistan and it's not clear if they
will allow the government to shut down groups in Pakistan who
may have been involved in the Mumbai attacks and other
outrages."
The rights groups asked the Indian government to take to
take a series of measures to deter such attacks in future
including better coordination in intelligence gathering,
sharing and dissemination, ending turf battles between the
central government and state governments and providing better
training and equipment to law enforcement officials.
In addition, the HRW suggested it to work with and,
where necessary, accept training and assistance from external
law enforcement agencies with a more sophisticated approach to
counter-terrorism work.
"After previous terror incidents there have been
widespread allegations that Indian security forces have
committed arbitrary arrests and torture," it said, adding that
Muslims have often been targeted.
"Given the criticism of the Indian counter-terror and
intelligence agencies, police investigators are under a lot of
pressure to find the masterminds and any accomplices to the
Mumbai attacks," said Adams.
"But they should not take the short-cut of torture or
rounding up the usual suspects. This has failed in the past to
solve crimes or prevent new attacks, and has only succeeded in
alienating minority communities. It is critical that any
detentions and prosecutions conform to India's constitution
and international law." PTI
