Drone Victim To Testify Before European Parliament Kidnapped, Disappeared By Men In Uniforms

Kareem Khan – Photo Credit Upstate Drone Action

A man set to testify before European Parliament on drones has disappeared after up to 20 men in police uniforms and plain clothes seized him in the the early hours Monday.

Kareem Khan, also involved in legal proceedings against the Pakistani Government regarding their failure to investigate deaths of his son and brother in a drone strike, was seized early Monday morning at his home in Rawalpindi by 15-20 men in police uniform and plain clothes, say witnesses.

“The men did not disclose their identities and no reason was given for the detention. Mr. Khan’s wife and young children were present at the time, as was a neighbour,” reports the non-profit human rights organization Reprieve in the UK.

Despite numerous inquiries to Pakistani police, Mr. Khan’s family had not been able to locate Mr. Khan or discover why he was kidnapped detained.

“We are very worried about Mr Khan’s safety,” said Clare Algar, Executive Director of the legal charity Reprieve. “He is a crucial witness to the dangers of the CIA’s covert drone programme, and has simply sought justice for the death of his son and brother through peaceful, legal routes.  

“Reports that he was detained by men in police uniforms are of great concern, and we urge the Government of Pakistan to do everything in its power to secure his immediate release.”

Monday, Reprieve’s local partner, the Foundation for Fundamental Rights, filed habeas proceedings on behalf of the family before the Lahore High Court Rawalpindi Branch.

Mr. Khan was due to travel Saturday to Europe, where he was scheduled to speak with German, Dutch and British parliamentarians about his personal experience with drone strikes and the impact such strikes are having on his country. He was also scheduled to talk about his work as a freelance journalist investigating other strikes in the region, according to Reprieve.

Mr. Khan is also involved in legal proceedings on behalf of his brother, Asif Iqbal, a teacher, and his son Zahinullah.

Mr. Khan had requested the courts order the Pakistani police to launch a criminal investigation into the strike, arguing it constitutes murder under domestic law. The next hearing date before the Islamabad High Court is scheduled for tomorrow, 11 February 2014.

“It is a shame that Nawaz Sharif has allowed Pakistan to be a police state, where no fundamental rights are available to its citizens. Kareem Khan is not only a victim, but an important voice for all other civilians killed and injured by US drone strikes,” stated Shahzad Akbar, lawyer for Kareem Khan, and Director of legal charity the Foundation for Fundamental Rights.

“Why are the powers that be so scared of Kareem and his work that they felt the need to abduct him in an effort to silence his efforts? Kareem Khan deserves justice and due process and he should be freed immediately of his illegal captivity.”

Source: Reprieve