Gross violations of human rights were recorded in the year 2005 and a
record number of 706 people committed suicide due to adverse circumstances, while
209 women were killed in the name of 'honour,' out of a total of 393 women killed in
the past year.
According to data obtained from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP),
several cases of murder, abduction, rape, police torture, harassment, illegal
detention, suicides and bonded labour were reported throughout the year, painting a
bleak picture of the human rights situation in the country.
Unemployment, financial issues and marital problems were the leading causes among
the 706 suicides recorded. According to the statistics, 210 people killed themselves
over domestic problems; 76 over financial troubles, 79 because of unemployment and
114 because of marital problems. There was a prevailing resentment against inflation
and the increase in prices of commodities of everyday use, especially petroleum
products, which continued to rise, despite the lowering of oil prices in the
international market.
Violence against women, rape and child abuse continued to be serious problems in
Pakistan, along with the trafficking of women and children for slavery and
prostitution. Women were especially victimised and a total of 393 deaths were
reported throughout the country, 209 out of which were attributed to honour killing
and karo kari. Although the government has criticized the practice, it continues to
threaten women in Pakistan. In 2005, 382 women were abducted, 115 of whom were
raped. Similarly, the HRCP recorded 136 gang rapes, 137 rapes, only 49 of which
registered with police.
Six hundred and thirty bonded labourers, mostly 'haris' (peasants) were freed from
bonded labour during the last year. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan received
156 complaints from different 'haris,' which were forwarded to the authorities that
secured their release.
Prison conditions continued to be extremely poor and police continued to detain
citizens arbitrarily. Sectarian killings remained a problem. In 2005, about 64
people were killed and 169 were injured in incidents of sectarian violence. Almost
188 people were killed in encounters, only five of whom were policemen. [Source: Pakistan Fact Sheet]