Amnesty urges government to ensure freedom of expression
ISIAMABAD: The National Executive Committee of Amnesty International, meeting in Multan on February 7, 1999, called on the Pakistan government to remove all obstacles preventing the full exercise of the right to freedom of expression, says a press release.
The Amnesty International also urged the authorities to prevent recurrence of any of the infringements, harassment and threats against journalists observed in recent weeks.
The Amnesty International promotes all the rights contained in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which include the rights to life and security of the person, to freedom of expression and association, and to fair trial. The organisation reminds governments around the world of their obligations under International Human Rights Law to meticulously uphold these rights i.e. to promote and protect all fundamental rights.
The Amnesty International is concerned at the threats and harassment to which people connected to the print media in Pakistan have been subjected solely for the exercise of their right to freedom of expression in the context of their professional activities. Such harassment has included apparently arbitrary raids on the offices of the Jang Group of Newspapers, demands to dismiss senior staff members, insisting on vetting articles before publication, and the arbitrary withholding of newsprint despite the Supreme Court orders.
The organisation is particularly concerned at the laying of apparently false criminal charges relating to sedition against the publication of ‘Jang’, ‘Aman’ and ‘Parcham’ for printing an advertisement.
The Amnesty International would consider anyone arrested and detained on the basis of’ this criminal charge as a ‘prisoner of conscience’ and would urge his or her immediate and unconditional release.
The Amnesty International is also concerned at the threats to the journalists associated with the Jang Group, which may have been made with the acquiescence or connivance of government agents. The organisation urgently calls on the government to ensure that such threats are stopped and that every measure be taken to ensure the safety and physical integrity of the journalists concerned.
The Amnesty International is also concerned at reports of excessive use of force by the police against people peacefully protesting against the curbs of the press freedom. The organisation urges the government to ensure that the police strictly abide by international and national norms, prohibiting such excessive use of force.
Source: The News
Date:2/8/1999
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