Dear friends,
On the eve of the International Day for Freedom of Press (May 3), Pakistani journalists plan to observe this by conducting rallies in support of missing and arrested journalists. The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is aware that the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) will commence their main rally from the Rawalpindi Press Club and make their way to the President of Pakistans Army Camp Office at the Pakistan army headquarters in Rawalpindi. Other journalist unions in various provinces around the country plan to launch their rallies at their local Press Clubs, before making their way to the Governor house of their province.
It has been learned that much pressure has been placed on the PFUJ to change the starting point of their rally. This is out of fear that the army and police will not allow the protestors to march up to the army camp and that the authorities may use violence against the journalists in an attempt to disperse them. Such violence occurred last year on the International Day for Freedom of Press when journalists were set upon by law enforces using batons and several journalists were arrested.
The AHRC supports the rallies being held on May 3 in Pakistan and ask that the authorities allow for them to go ahead without fear of violence or arrest.
The AHRC also asks the Government of Pakistan to produce journalist Hayatullah Khan in a court of law without further delay. Hayatullah was disappeared on 5 December 2005 and has not been since. His disappearance followed his coverage of a student demonstration against the army attack in Wana, in the northern area of the country. It is suspected that Hayatullah has been handed over to armed forces from the United States serving in Pakistan.
The AHRC also calls for investigations and justice into the killing of BBC radio journalist, Nisar Afridi, who was killed by unknown assailants while covering the army crackdown against militants in the northern area of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan.
The AHRC also asks that general violence against journalists be stopped, that black laws against the media be abolished, and that the Wage Award be implemented. More than twelve cases are currently registered against journalists under the black laws such as the Official Secret Act and the Printing and Publication order ordinance of 1963. Journalists have been struggling for better wages and the implementation of the 7th Wage Board award which was awarded in 2000, but has yet to be put into effect.
The military government has stopped two television channels and FM-103 radio from broadcasting BBC programmes. The FM radios equipment was also confiscated.
In the Sindh province journalists and newsmen remain under threat. One newspaper office was punished for publishing a particular advertisement and it was attacked by unknown persons.
The military government has also cracked down on media coverage in Balochistan, where military operations are being conducted. Several print and electronic media sources have had their operations stopped (please see UA-144-2006).
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write to the relevant authorities listed below voicing your concern for the rights of journalists and other persons in the media currently working in Pakistan.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear _______________,
PAKISTAN: Journalists to stage protest over rights of those in the media
I write in solidarity with those journalists who intend on protesting in various locations throughout Pakistan on May 3 in regards to the International Day for Freedom of Press.
According to information I have received, Pakistani journalists intend to observe this day by conducting rallies in support of missing and arrested journalists. The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) will commence their main rally from the Rawalpindi Press Club and make their way to the President of Pakistans Army Camp Office at the Pakistan army headquarters in Rawalpindi. Other journalist unions in various provinces around the country plan to launch their rallies at their local Press Club, before making their way to the Governor house of their province.
I am aware that this same rally met with violence last year when those protesting were attacked by baton wielding law enforcers. I am also aware that the protestors are concerned that the police may not allow them to follow the route that they have planned for the demonstration.
I therefore ask that you ensure that this is not the case and that the protestors are given the opportunity to voice their concerns, without fear of violence or arrest.
I also support the journalists in their demand to the Government of Pakistan to produce journalist Hayatullah Khan in a court of law without further delay. Hayatullah was disappeared on 5 December 2005 and has not been since. His disappearance followed his coverage of a student demonstration against the army attack in Wana, in the northern area of the country. It is suspected that Hayatullah has been handed over to armed forces from the United States serving in Pakistan.
I also call for investigations and justice into the killing of BBC radio journalist, Nisar Afridi, who was killed by unknown assailants while covering the army crackdown against militants in the northern area of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan.
Finally, I lend my support to the journalists in their request that general violence against journalists be stopped, that black laws against the media be abolished, and that the Wage Award be implemented.
Finally, I ask that recent actions taken by the military government to suppress the media, in the form of closing down media outlets and confiscating equipment, be stopped and that no further action such as this is taken in the future.
Yours sincerely,
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PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. General Pervez Musharraf
President
Presidents Secretariat
Islamabad
PAKISTAN
Fax: +92 51 922 1422, 4768/ 920 1893 or 1835
Email: (please see - http://www.presidentofpakistan.gov.pk/WTPresidentMessage.aspx)
2. Mr. Muhammad Wasi Zafar
Minister of Law, Justice and Human Rights,
S Block,
Pakistan Secretariat,
Islamabad,
PAKISTAN
Fax: +92 51 920 2628
E-Mail: minister@molaw.gov.pk
3. Mr. Mohamag Ali Durrani
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
Islamabad
Pakistan
Email: infominister@infopak.gov.pk
4. Mr.Tariq Azeem
Minister of State for Information and Boradcasting
Government of Pakistan
Islamabad
Pakistan
Email: mos@infopak.gov.pk
5.Mr. Ashfaq Gondal
Principal Information Officer to the President of Pakistan
President Secretariat
Islamabad
Pakistan
Fax: + 92 51 927 008
6. Mr. Ambeyi Ligabo
Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
c/o J Deriviero
OHCHR-UNOG
8-14 Avenue de la Paix
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 917 9177
Fax: +41 22 917 9006 (ATTN: SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION)
Email: jderiviero@ohchr.org or urgent-action@ohchr.org
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ahrchk@ahrchk.org)
