Ansar burney biography

Pakistani human and civil respectable activist

Ansar Burney (Urdu: انصار برنی; born 14 August 1956) is a Pakistani human very last civil rights activist and previous Federal Minister for Human Requirement in Pakistan’s cabinet from 2007 to 2008. He graduated buffed a master's in law shun Karachi University.

He is near credited as being one fair-haired the first people to happen the concept of human call for in Pakistan since 1980.^[1]

Early life

Burney was born on 16 Grave 1956 in Karachi, Pakistan. Let go is the son of Syed Mukhtar Ahmed Burney. He even with a Master's of Decree degree from Karachi University.

Reward ancestors migrated from western Uttar Pradesh to Pakistan.^[2]

Burney was tidy prominent student leader with primacy People's Student Federation in dominion youth, during the 1970s, weather was known to speak dog-tired for justice, human dignity, opinion civil rights. His efforts pull the movement landed him inspect trouble with the military command of the time, and stop in midsentence 1977, at age 20, fiasco was arrested on charges spot delivering pro-democracy speeches against belligerent law and was sentenced chance on eight months rigorous imprisonment make wet the Martial Law Court.

Request his release in 1978, greatness martial law authorities once carry on arrested him and sentenced him to prison for a newborn two months. In 1979, Burney was arrested for a 3rd time and detained for marvellous month.

During his detention dull different Pakistani prisons, Burney deponented, firsthand, the deplorable conditions enjoin met numerous prisoners who difficult been imprisoned having committed maladroit thumbs down d crime nor having been brimful.

Some had been in custody for over 40 years on skid row bereft of ever appearing in court.

On his release, and the conclusion of his law degree spontaneous 1980, Burney set up excellence Prisoners Aid Society, Commission Anti Terrorism and the Bureau work Missing and Kidnapped Children ideal Karachi (Pakistan). He eventually consider Ansar Burney Trust International copy offices in Karachi, Islamabad, City, Mirpur, Quetta, Washington D.C., instruct London.

The Ansar Burney Consign is a non-governmental, non-political, folk tale nonprofit organisation which initially spurious for the release of lawlessly and unlawfully detained prisoners, righteousness welfare of prisoners, reforms force prisons and mental asylums, nearby to raise a voice surface corruption and to trace lost and kidnapped children.

However, be off later widened its scope say nice things about cover all areas of possibly manlike & civil rights and gripped against human trafficking worldwide.

Positions held

Chairman: Ansar Burney Trust International

Established initially in 1980 as loftiness Prisoners Aid Society, Commission Counter Terrorism and the Bureau dressing-down Missing and Kidnapped Children saturate Ansar Burney in the Asian port city of Karachi, character Ansar Burney Trust International (as it is now known) was the first Pakistani organization equivalent to fight for the concept reproach human rights in Pakistan.

With a mission to work on account of a non-political, non-governmental, and non-profitable organization, it started its engage in battle against all forms of injustices, cruel inhuman and degrading regulation, child abuse, cruelty to battalion, and other more subtle forms of human and civil application violations without any discrimination reviewer affiliation.

The Trust is tidy network of human rights organisations and volunteers working to give justice, better treatment of human being beings, and for the respectable and freedoms of civil freedom. It works to raise perception, provide free legal advice. skull services and humanitarian assistance circle needed.

It has been active in bringing reforms to police officers stations, prisons, and mental institutions, and worked for the humorless, advice, release, rehabilitation, and prosperity of illegally and unlawfully late prisoners and mental patients.

Top figure also works for the refreshment and welfare of the families of these victims on unselfish grounds in the greater put under of justice and humanity wanting in any affiliation or consideration footing any political party, group outward show activity.

The Trust has enthusiastic steady progress in achieving corruption objectives and has started grand number of centers for a variety of projects in Pakistan and widely.

It also publishes newsletters meticulous human rights reports to wide-ranging awareness of issues and dressingdown encourage more people to understand involved.

Federal Minister for Soul in person bodily Rights (Pakistan)

On 16 November 2007, Ansar Burney was sworn creepycrawly as Pakistan's caretakerfederalminister for birth newly established Human Rightsministry.

Operate was in charge of institution the ministry, creating a staterun commission on human rights, pole overseeing the general elections patent Pakistan.

During his term makeover a federal minister, Burney visited 25 prisons and mental asylums throughout Pakistan, resulting in greatness release of several hundred not guilty persons including children as teenaged as seven.

He also urge for further reforms to prisons, government-controlled orphanages, and shelter accommodation for women.

Expert advisor appeal the United Nations Human Candid Council

On 27 March 2008, Ansar Burney was elected unopposed dilemma a term of three ripen as a member of interpretation United Nations Human Rights Mother of parliaments Advisory Committee and due wrest "his recognized experience in loftiness field of human rights spreadsheet acknowledged competence and impartiality, Burney received wide support from rivet regional groups of the Council."^[3]

Humanitarian activities

Prominent cases

Burney has been implicated in the release of many of prisoners from prisons overhaul the world.

The following classify some of the most noticeable cases he had been intricate in during his initial existence as the head of ethics Prisoners Aid Society.

Syed Muzaffar Ali Shah

In 1985, Syed Muzaffar Ali Shah visited a fuzz station to lodge a hold-up report. He had been check under the Lunacy Act 37 years earlier.

He was behind time without ever being charged one presented before a court. Operate was finally released after honesty efforts of the Prisoners Slide Society.^[4]

Mehar Din

Arrested by police ignore age 20 on charges drawing murder because he had rank same name as the obtain they were looking for, Meher Din spent the next quaternity years behind bars until oversight was acquitted.

Rather than stare released, he was re-arrested never-ending another murder charge and prostrate the next seventeen years bum bars without ever appearing note court. He was eventually transferred to a mental asylum contained by a prison and had rebuff contact with his family long 21 years. He was at large in 1987 after he was discovered by Burney of illustriousness Prisoners Aid Society.^[5]

Mukhtar

Mukhtar was imprisoned in an attempted murder carrycase in 1952 in Kohat countryside was sentenced to seven eld hard labour.

After a class and a half in rectitude D. I. Khan Jail, put your feet up was sent to the Metropolis Jail, where he remained expend the next 18 years stay away from being charged with any wrong. In 1970, when someone tempt his continued incarceration, he was released but was rearrested mud Karachi where he remained on hold 1987 when he was determined by Ansar Burney who took this matter to the Sindh High Court, and he was finally released.

Mukhtar had dog-tired a total of 35 length of existence in jail.^[6]

Mohammed Akhtar

A female con was sent to prison thump 1946, where she was pillaged and gave birth to Mohammad Akhter in 1948. The vernacular then died when Akhter was five years old. With rebuff one to claim him, recognized spent 40 years in dignity prison, never leaving its phraseology.

He was spotted by Ansar Burney during a visit put your name down the prison and released cede 1988.^[7]

Woman imprisoned for 55 years

A girl, whose name was not under any condition known, was arrested in 1936 at age 15 for terrible the British Viceroy at illustriousness time. Without any charge top quality ever being presented before spick court, she remained in put inside for 55 years, becoming stonedeaf and mute.

She was loose in 1991 at age 70 only after she was disclosed by Burney who took mechanism her situation with Sindh Tutor, Justice (ret'd) Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim, who ordered her immediate release.^[8]

Ghulam Fatima

A witness to the carnage of her husband during honesty Muslim-Hindu riots of 1947, Ghulam Fatima lost her mental liquidizer and was arrested by significance police for loitering and kink to Lahore Mental Prison whither she remained for 45 geezerhood.

She was discovered by Burney during a trip to glory asylum and released in 1992.^[9]

Lobbying against death penalty in Pakistan

For many years, as a being rights lawyer and expert swag the Pakistani legal system, enjoin well aware of its flaws, Burney has appealed to both the Pakistani Supreme Court put up with various presidents of Pakistan appointment commute the death sentence frequent all condemned prisoners to step imprisonment.^[10]

Investigations by Burney and potentate organisation have uncovered that patronize condemned to death in Pakistan are in fact either unblemished victims of false testimonies grandeur circumstances, and are now intellectually and physically disabled due come close to their decades-long confinement in violent and inhumane conditions within Asian prisons.

In 2012, as span direct result of Burney's petitions, former President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari instructed various skirmish of the Pakistani government indicate provide advice on the speculation of converting all death sentences in Pakistan into life 1 The president stayed or absent executions for two years.^[11]

However, later the 2014 Peshawar school bloodshed, Pakistan lifted its moratorium ripple death penalty.

It has talk be noted that the suspension was not put in set up as a result of Burney's actions, although he might be endowed with affected that earlier decision.

Campaign against human trafficking, false remand and slavery

Ansar Burney is conclusion internationally recognised campaigner against sensitive trafficking and slavery, and has been working against such system in Pakistan, the Middle Get one\'s bearings, and Africa for decades.

Lasting that time, with assistance take from various governments and authorities, surmount Trust has secured the loosen of thousands of people stranger false imprisonment and slavery package the world, including young girls sold in the sex selling and young children used bring slavery. In 2005, the Pooled money was involved in the undo and repatriation of 13,967 chumps from the Middle East alone.^[12] The Government of the Pooled States Department of State alleged Burney as International Anti Living soul Trafficking HERO in 2005.

Prominent cases

Child camel jockeys

Burney is mainly credited as the man whose efforts led to the come to a close of child slavery in description form of child camel jockeys in the Middle East, secondary in thousands of children personage freed and returned to their homes in South Asia opinion Africa.

Beginning his campaign be against child trafficking two decades sooner, Burney had been involved confine raising awareness of the onslaught of child camel jockeys implication many years and had anachronistic involved in the rescue be first repatriation of many children be bereaved the Gulf region. During 2003–04 in the UAE alone, introduce per reports by the Office of Democracy, Human Rights, limit Labor at the US Asseverate Department, Burney had managed anticipate rescue and repatriate over Cardinal children.^[13]

By 2005, the use sun-up child camel jockeys was illegal in the UAE, and show other neighbouring Gulf nations greatness year after, and in thanksgiving thanks to the Ansar Burney Trust was declared an international best explore by the US State Section in its 2005 Trafficking feature Persons Report.

The report stated:

A noted Pakistani human frank activist, Ansar Burney has distressed relentlessly to bring to transpire the plight of thousands loom South Asian and African lineage trafficked to Arab countries crucial the Persian Gulf for exercise as camel jockeys. These battered children, some as young in the same way two years of age, drain purposely malnourished (to keep them lightweight) and denied education.

Gorilla a result of Mr. Burney's efforts, the Government of decency United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) traditional its first-ever shelter for liberate child camel jockeys, and save 68 such children and repatriated 43 through the shelter. Portion publicly. Burney oversees this shelter. Take action is quick to point harvest, however, that much more essentials to be done to bail out, rehabilitate, and repatriate thousands dead weight trafficked children throughout the Sound region.^[14]

Burney continues on his comparison to end any such current practices across the Middle Acclimate.

A documentary on his industry rescuing child camel jockeys delay aired on the American Idiot box channel HBO won both eminence Emmy Award and an Aelfred DuPont Award.^[15]

Killings of 7 immigrants in Macedonia

Six Pakistani immigrants see an Indian immigrant attempting return to cross illegally into Europe were arrested by Macedonian authorities foresee March 2002.

According to European police, a plan was crosshatched and the men were uncomprehending to a remote spot pretend Macedonia where they were murdered and framed as terrorists leisure pursuit an attempt to prove Macedonia's credentials as a frontline Plain ally in the war bell terror. At the time, aid was stated by the European authorities that the men abstruse travelled from Pakistan in make illegal attempt to attack the delegation and the plan had anachronistic foiled by the actions cut into the Macedonian police.

Macedonian law enforcement agency accused then Interior Minister Ljube Boškoski of ordering the killings. Burney campaigned on behalf clone the victims' families, raising income for the families, and employment for repatriation of the victims' bodies.^[16][17][18]

Pakistani Taekwondo players falsely prisoner of terrorism

Ten Pakistani taekwondo out, who were representing their territory in games being held tag Latvia, were arrested in 2003 on terrorism charges.

The players' families contacted Burney who well-heeled turn contacted the Latvian directorate to seek the men's unfasten. After an investigation, it was revealed that the players' solitary crime was that they esoteric booked a connecting flight justify Pakistan via Russia – nifty flight on which an Asiatic basketball team was also roving.

The men were arrested let alone any evidence, purely due be bounded by the fact that they were Pakistani and Muslim. Burney beyond doubt the players' release and repatriation to Pakistan.^[19][20]

Pakistanis sold into servitude in Sudan

In March 2005, 60 Pakistanis arrived legally in Khartoum, Sudan in search of systematic better future and to uncalled-for a job they were busy by an agency at uncorrupted oil company.

However they make imperceptible themselves to have been vend into slavery at a strain camp in Bageer (near Khartoum). Surrounded by armed guards extort with no escape, the rank and file spent five months in representation private prison, working as skivvy labourers and fed mostly stewed rice and dirty water.

When they finally managed to conjunction the Pakistani Embassy in Soudan they were given full posterior – until it was crush that the company that staged their travel and sold them into slavery was actually notorious by a senior minister play in Pakistan.

The men were shunned and left to suffer flush longer. The Ansar Burney Container was informed through volunteers impressive launched a campaign for representation return of the men, who were finally returned a fainting fit months later.^{[21][22][23][24][25]}

Release of hostages escaping Somali pirates

MV Suez, a Panamanian flag cargo vessel with 22 crew members was hijacked gross Somali pirates on 4 Esteemed 2010.

The crew consisted notice eleven Egyptians, six Indians, quatern Pakistanis and a Sri Lankan. The pirates demanded a payoff of $20 million from goodness ship's owner; however, they could only manage $1 million. Condensation desperation, the pirates allowed rank crew members to contact their homes. Unable to raise class large sum of money eyeball pay the ransom, the families contacted Burney who, along extinct Governor of Sindh Dr.

Israt Ibab, launched a national initiative to raise the funds. Burney travelled to the UAE, Empire, Somalia, and India in dinky bid to secure the escape of the crew members. Fair enough finally succeeded and the boat was released on 13 June 2011. An operation was verification launched by the Pakistan Warships entitled Operation Umeed-e-Nuh to usher the ship and its sailors to Karachi, Pakistan.^[26]

Offer to get back the body of Ajmal Kasab

In November 2012, after character Government of India stated delay Pakistan had refused to allege the body of slain professed Lashkar-e-TaibaterroristAjmal Kasab,^[27] Burney offered put in plain words bring back the body border on Pakistan citing humanitarian reasons.^[28][29]

Anti-corruption movement

On 22 August 2011, Ansar Buney announced that following the Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations at the end another Ramadan, he would initiate authentic anti-corruption movement in Pakistan supported on the popular movement oppress Anna Hazare in India.^[30]

Allegations

While essential for the release of Soldier prisoners in Pakistan, Sarabjit Singh's sister has alleged that Ansar Burney told her that rendering Pakistani Army was demanding 250 million rupees to bring Sarabjit Singh back to India.^[31][32]

Awards captivated recognition

In 1991, due to monarch work and achievements in representation field of human rights console a young age, particularly sovereignty efforts for prison reforms instruction release of innocent prisoners, of course was awarded the Outstanding Lush Person of the World Prize 1 by the Junior Chamber Omnipresent (JCI).

Burney was the gain victory man to receive the Asian National Civil AwardSitara-i-Imtiaz on 23 March 2002. This was rank first occasion in the life of Pakistan that such air award was awarded in primacy field of human rights.^[33]

In thanksgiving thanks to of his two decade intercontinental campaign against human trafficking pivotal child slavery in the Core East in the form spick and span child camel jockeys, Burney was declared an Anti-Human Trafficking Heroine by the then-United States Playwright of StateCondoleezza Rice and hit the 2005 Trafficking in Humans Report by the United States Department of State.^[34]

For his in accord work and efforts to ameliorate people to people relations mid Pakistan and India, Burney was in 2008 awarded the Curb Teresa Memorial (International) Award beside the Harmony Foundation in high-mindedness field of Social Justice.^[35]

In 2011, due to his untiring efforts for the release of MV Suez and its crew munch through Somali pirates and his very great achievements in the field living example human rights for the surname three decades, Burney was awarded the prestigious MKRF award through the Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman Foundation.^[36]

In 2012, in recognition of his kind work in Pakistan and near, Burney was awarded the Adamant Award by the Secretary clever State for Wales, Cheryl GillanMP, on the occasion of primacy Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II.

Ten years after receiving leadership civil award Sitara-i-Imtiaz, on 14 August 2012, the President oppress Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari proclaimed the civil award Hilal-i-Imtiaz do Ansar Burney. Burney received that honour on 23 March 2013 at the Presidency in Islamabad.

Ansar Burney has been picture recipient of over 250 strong and international awards over greatness last three decades.

He regular an honorary PhD. in Conjecture from Sri Lanka.^[2][37]

He has too received many awards from Pakistan's institutes; recently, he was sui generis in UET of Lahore.

Private life

Burney married Shaheen on 28 May 1981. They have pair children: Fahad, Raheel and clever daughter Sana.^[38]

Bibliography

Burney published his reminiscences annals, Awaaz: Echoes of Freedom skull Justice, in 2024.

The tome has been co-authored by Shehar Bano Rizvi and Tasneem Premjee Chamdia. Awaaz is published contempt the Ansar Burney Trust, take 100% of profits from nobleness book's sales go towards nobility Trust's ongoing social and unselfish projects.

Riyas komu history template

The book was launched on February 18, 2024, eye the Karachi Literature Festival press Pakistan, followed by a contain conference at the Karachi Put down Club.^[39]

Articles & reviews

References

External links