NCJ Number
154451
Date Published
1992
Length
158 pages
Annotation
This report focuses on the sexual and physical abuse of women in police custody in Pakistan, examining not only the gender- specific aspects of the abuse but also the role of gender- discrimination in these women's imprisonment.
Abstract
Based on a 2-week investigation undertaken in October 1991 by Asia Watch and the Women's Rights Project, both divisions of the Human Rights Watch, this report charges the government of Pakistan with responsibility for an epidemic of unpunished police violence against women. More than 70 percent of women in police custody are physically and sexually abused by law enforcement officials, but not a single police officer has been prosecuted or convicted for such abuse. The report calls on the Pakistani government to denounce publicly police brutality against women, to punish police officers who abuse women prisoners, and to guarantee women equality before and equal protection of the law. 401 notes