Die Zahl gezielter Tötungen stieg 2010 im Raum Karatschi, Pakistan, mit über 1.100 Fällen bis Oktober sprunghaft an. Die Gründe der Morde bleiben oft im Dunkeln, beruhen aber offenbar häufig auf einer Mischung aus politischen, religiösen und kriminellen Motiven. Einige machen rivalisierende Parteien dafür verantwortlich, deren Wählerbasis aus unterschiedlichen ethnischen Gruppen der Stadt besteht. Andere schreiben die Gewalt kriminellen Banden zu, die angeblich von großen politischen Parteien kontrolliert werden. Manche Morde scheinen direkte politische Ursachen zu haben, als Reaktion auf die Ermordung von Politikern. Auch spielen religiöse Konflikte zwischen schiitischen und sunnitischen Muslimen eine Rolle.
Karachi, Pakistan
A deserted street in Karachi, the night after the assassination of Raza Haider, a leading member of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), a political party that has its roots among the Urdu-speaking Muslims who migrated to Pakistan after independence in 1947. Citizens often stay indoors after assassinations of important political figures, fearing reprisal killings. The number of targeted shootings in the Karachi area of Pakistan escalated in 2010, with over 1,100 violent deaths recorded by October. The cause of the killings remains obscure, but it appears to be a mix of political, religious and criminal violence. Some observers blame rivalry between parties that have their electoral bases in different ethnic groups in the city. Others say the violence is linked to criminal gangs, allegedly controlled by major political parties. Some killings appear directly politically motivated, reactions to the assassination of political figures. Sectarian conflict between Shia and Sunni Muslim communities has also been blamed.
Photo credit:
Agence Vu
Massimo Berruti speaks about the project:
"These photos were taken before and after the devastating floods hit Pakistan in August 2010. The idea to cover this story came into my mind after reading in the press about the daily bleeding of this city, an economic hub of Pakistan, involved in this huge fight for dominance. I was reminded by the incidents of the mafia war that took place in my country in the early '80s of the past century.
In the reports there was only incomplete information, there was no awareness or knowledge of what the situation was really about. You could get out in the middle of the night with the idea to cover protesters while burning buses and then find yourself in the middle of a shooting. There was a mother so shocked that she was unable to cry at the loss of her son, banned political groups storming into hospitals and once two journalists were assassinated on the road in front of my hotel. People are suffering and paying a tremendous price for this fight within, a spiral of violence which points the finger at local and central government."
El número de tiroteos en la zona de Karachi, Pakistán, aumentó en 2010 dejando un saldo de más de 1.100 muertes violentas registradas en el mes de octubre. Las causas de los fallecimientos son una mezcla de violencia política, religiosa y criminal. Algunos observadores culpan a la rivalidad existente entre los partidos que tienen sus bases electorales en los diferentes grupos étnicos de la ciudad. Otros vinculan la violencia a bandas criminales, supuestamente controladas por grandes partidos políticos. Algunas muertes parecen tener una motivación política directa en respuesta a los asesinatos de políticos. También se ha culpado de ello al conflicto sectario entre las comunidades musulmanas chiítas y sunitas.
Le nombre de fusillades ciblées dans la région de Karachi au Pakistan s’est intensifié en 2010, avec plus de 1100 morts violentes enregistrées en octobre. La cause des massacres reste obscure, mais s’apparente à un mélange de violences politique, religieuse et criminelle. Certains observateurs l’imputent à la rivalité entre des partis dont les bases électorales appartiennent à différents groupes ethniques de la ville. Pour d’autres, la violence est liée à des bandes criminelles qui seraient contrôlées par des partis politiques. Certains massacres, directement liés à la politique, sont des réactions aux assassinats de politiciens. La violence est aussi imputée au conflit sectaire entre musulmans chiites et sunnites.
Il numero di omicidi mirati nell’area di Karachi, Pakistan, è aumentato nel 2010, portando a 1.100 il totale delle morti violente registrate fino a ottobre. Pur restando oscuro, il movente delle esecuzioni pare riconducibile a un mix di violenza politica, religiosa e criminale. Secondo alcuni osservatori la causa sarebbe la rivalità fra partiti il cui eletto- rato appartiene ai diversi gruppi etnici della città. Per altri la violenza è da ricollegare a bande criminali, presumibilmente controllate dai maggiori partiti politici. Alcuni omicidi sembrano di chiara matrice politica, in risposta all’assassinio di personalità pubbliche. Fra le ipotetiche cause anche il conflitto settario fra le comunità musulmane sciite e sunnite.
Het aantal moordaanslagen in en rond de Pakistaanse havenstad Karachi is in 2010 fors toegenomen. In oktober waren al 1.100 gewelddadige sterfgevallen geregistreerd. Het motief achter de moorden is onduidelijk, maar het lijkt een combinatie van politiek, godsdienstig en crimineel geweld. Sommigen leggen de schuld bij de rivaliteit tussen de partijen, die hun electorale basis bij diverse etnische groepen in de stad hebben. Volgens anderen heeft het geweld met criminele bendes te maken, die door de grote politieke partijen zouden worden gecontroleerd. Sommige moorden lijken een politiek gemotiveerde reactie op aanslagen op politici. Ook spelen misschien sektarische conflicten tussen soennieten en sjiieten een rol.
