A Statement by the Asian Human Rights Commission

PAKISTAN: President Musharraf engages in a hate speech against journalists

President Musharraf, while talking to a gathering of 800 Pakistanis in London, has asked the overseas Pakistanis to “put one, two or three punches” to Pakistani journalists who are destroying the country’s image outside the country. Mr. Musharraf was annoyed by a senior Pakistani journalist, Mr. Zia Uddin, a correspondent of the Daily Dawn who questioned the security of the country’s nuclear assets at a time when Pakistani intelligence agencies could not securely detain a high profile terrorist who was wanted by the British government and who escaped from their custody.

While lamenting the criticism of Pakistani journalists of government policies, President Musharraf said “what types of Pakistanis are here, what can the enemies do against us when these people (the journalists) are already sitting here?” He appealed to the workers of the ruling party to stop such disgruntled elements when he told them, it is better to hit them with two or three punches. The president also publically identified Mr. Zia Uddin as an anti-state element, thereby placing him in danger of attack by extremist elements.

The media bodies of Britain and Pakistan including journalists, organizations and human rights bodies have taken serious note of Musharraf’s speech. The international media criticized it by saying that his comments reveals the little respect he holds for the journalists and people with independent minds. The Pakistani media and journalists organizations termed Musharraf’s remarks as instigation and provocation against the journalists. Local student leaders in Britain have also threatened to move the British justice system, accusing the Pakistani president of inciting the Pakistani community to violence by such comments.

The Asian Human Rights Commission strongly condemns the remarks of President Musharraf against the journalists and overseas Pakistanis, who have and are continuing to show their resentment of the arbitrary actions of the government. Such remarks shows that President Musharraf, after taking unconstitutional and arbitrary actions including the dismissal of 55 senior judges and also resorting to attacks on demonstrations and allowing the ISI to engage in acts of violence against the opposition is now attempting to extend his attack also against persons who express their dissent from abroad. The arm of repression that grips the entire democratic and rule of law system within Pakistan is now extending even to people outside.

The Pakistani journalists, like the Pakistani lawyers and others who have taken enormous risks to defend the constitutional rights and the independence of the judiciary and are struggling against the total abuse of power by the Musharraf regime deserve the admiration and the support of the international community.

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About AHRC: The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation monitoring and lobbying human rights issues in Asia. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984.

Journalists Urge President to Overturn “Horrifying” Death Sentence against Afghan Reporter
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today called on its members to join a campaign to urge Afghan President Hamid Karzai to overturn a death sentence handed down to journalist Sayed Parwez Kambakhsh who has been convicted in a hasty and unfair trial of blasphemy for allegedly downloading an article from a Farsi-language web site and distributing it among four friends and for possessing books that contain anti-Islamic sentiment.

“It is shocking and horrifying that a court would hand down a death sentence to a journalist in a trial where he was not even allowed legal representation for his defence,” said IFJ General Secretary Aidan White. “This is an attack on press freedom and due process and we are calling on President Karzai to exercise his presidential powers and intervene to stop this in justice.”

The IFJ has sent a letter to Karzai asking him to overturn the sentence. It is also calling on its members to contact the embassies and foreign ministers in their countries to urge them to intervene in this case.

According to reports from the IFJ’s local affiliates, including the Afghan Independent Journalists Association, Mr. Kambakhsh, a journalism student and reporter for the daily newspaper Jahan-e Naw, was convicted on Tuesday of blasphemy by a religious Islamic court and was not represented by a lawyer at the time of the trial.

On Wednesday, the Ministry of Information and Culture said in a statement that Kambakhsh’s case is not a journalistic issue. It also said the decision of the primary court is not final.

“While we are happy that the government has left some room for appeal in the case, we cannot agree that this is not a case about press freedom,” White said. “We will do everything we can to support Sayed.”

The IFJ says that the death sentence for Kambakhsh disregards Afghanistan’s constitution, which says that “freedom of expression shall be inviolable. Every Afghan shall have the right to express thoughts through speech, writing, illustrations as well as other means in accordance with provisions of this constitution.”

“Only by doing this will you assure the people of Afghanistan that you, as their leader, respect, uphold and protect the rights of all citizens regardless of their religious or political beliefs,” White said in his letter.

The IFJ plans to support Kambakhsh’s legal defence in a fight against the conviction.

You can read the IFJ letter here and use it as a template to send your own message to the Afghan Embassy in your country and to your foreign minister urging him or her to express his or her concern to Karzai.

To join an international appeal for Kambakhsh organized by kabulpress.org go to: http://tinyurl.com/2pnthj

The IFJ’s Dutch member Nederlandse Vereniging van Journalisten (NVJ) has also started a petition at: http://www.villamedia.nl/journalist/n/2008.01.petitie.shtm

The IFJ is urging journalists to sign one of these petitions or start their own in their country.

For more information contact the IFJ at +32 2 235 2207
The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 120 countries worldwide

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AHRC-FST-003-2008
January 4, 2008

A Statements from the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission

PAKISTAN: Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists terms 2007 as the bad year for journalists

Six journalists were killed, three of them while performing their professional duties, 73 were injured, mostly by the police in the worst year for? the journalists?in a decade while media remained under government pressure through laws and threat, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), said in a report release on Sunday.

Unprecedented incidents of violence and curbs on media remained the hallmark of 2007,” PFUJ said in a report at the end of the year.

Beside killing of journalists media houses were attacked, raided by the police and security agencies and freedom of the Press came under attack as a result of two ordinance against media after the promulgation of emergency.

Those journalists killed include Zubair Ahmed Mujahid of daily Jang, who was killed in Mirpurkhas by unidentrified men, Mehboob Khan, freelance journalist killed in Charsada, during the bomb blast on the rally of former Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, Noor Ahmed Khan, killed in Bajour during a roadside blast, Javed Khan, photojournalists for daily Markaz was killed while covering Lal masjid battle in Islamabad, Mohammad Arif Khan, cameraman of ARYONE WORLD, killed during the bomb blast on Benazir Bhutto’s procession on October 18, and Rab Nawaz Chandio, reporter for daily Halchal, killed by unknown person in Thatta.

PFUJ, the representative body of the journalists in Pakistan , said the year witnessed “growing menace of police brutality” against journalists as some 73 journalists including photo-journalists, cameramen were badly beaten, causing serious injuries to at least 30, who go head injuries. The latest was on December 17, when Aaj reporter Mohammad Usman was admitted to hospital after several head injuries.

Throughout the year the private news channels remained under pressure and as a result time and again GEO, ARY, Aaj, SINDH TV, KTN, Kyber were put off air, but on Nov 3rd, some 45 channels and two FM-radio were put off air through a verbal orders of the authorities for over three weeks.

PFUJ launched a protest movement against the curbs on the media, which has now been suspended after 55 days due to the tragic death of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. The campaign was launched?for the withdrawal of anti-Press laws, lifting of restrictions and ban on tv channels, held protest rallies, demonstration and set-up camps during which over 200 journalists were detained, several were beaten by police.

- Later, government allowed all channels and FM-99 and 103, after seeking “assurance,” but the mainstream news channels GEO news and GEO Supper (Sports) remained off air.

Worst violent incident against journalists took place on September 29th, in Islamabad, when police attacked journalists outside the Election Commission office. At least 43 were injured, many recieved head injuries while on the same day in Peshawar, police injured four journalists during a protest against Islamabad incident. The ex-CJP after a suo-moto action suspended senior police officials after looking into the evidence and vedio of police brutality. Earlier, in March, police used baton-charge against journalists covering the rally of former chief justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry, in which 10 journalists were injured. Police were again found involve in beating journalists in Lahore and last month in Karachi, during which several journalists were injured.

PFUJ, is deeply concerned and shocked over treatment of journalists across the country on the hands of state machinery. The year have seen an unprecedented rise in violence against journalists with some areas. Reporting become most difficult in the militancy hit areas like Wana, Wazirstan, Swat and the nearby areas. Journalists also faced difficculties in reporting in many parts of Baluchistan and interior of Sindh, particularly if they report on Baluchistan operation or on forced marriages, jirga in Sindh. Tw reporters Latif Khosa and Riaz Mengal were kidnapped in Baluchistan while three reporters left their native towns in Sindh, after reporting on social issues.The media house which came under attack include Aaj office in Karachi, GEO in Islamabad, by the armed groups and police respectively. Professional hazzards at the hands of law enforcement agencies become order of the day, and Union receieved complaints from different parts of the country, during which security officials either seized cameras or removed films.

PFUJ also blamed the pressure groups for threatening journalists in different parts of the country. While journalists working in the tribal areas in NWFP regularly complaints about threats from militants, journalist Riaz Mengal was abducted on the orders of an influential Sardar. In Karachi, an ethnic group MRC, issued a “list of journalists,” whom they considered chavanists. Few days later, bullets in envlop were found in cars of three journalists. “These threats made job most difficult for journalists with general elections round the corner,” PFUJ observed.

ANTI-MEDIA LAWS AND CLOSURE OF CHANNELS :

Pakistan’s mainstream private tv news channels remained under pressure throughout the year. Even before the closure of around 45 tv channels, mainly news channels on November 3, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), which suppopsed to regulate things infact turned into a “police force.” The three mainstream news channels GEO, ARY and Aaj, become the prime target but even regional news channels like KTN, SINDH TV, KHYBER were not spared.

Channels were forced not to telecast programmes on Baluchistan operation, kept news not favourable to government in low key. Several channels informed PFUJ that at least on 11 occassions their channels were put off air through cable operators.

After an illegal action on Nov 3, when all tv channels went off air government allowed all channels and two main FM radio, Power-99 and Mast-103, after most of them were compelled to sign an undertaking and the so called code of conduct, but even they are not free to report according to “editorial decisions.” They can not take free decisions about their “talk shows.”

GEO and all their other channels, Jang group become the worst target as they are reportedly been told to “sack,” at least three anchors from GEO, and two reporters from The NEWS.
“The struggle is on and will continue till the repeal of anti-media laws and for the cause of freedom of the Press in the country,” PFUJ said.

Following are the details of the Journalist’s killed :-

Mehboob Khan, freelance, April 28, 2007, Charsadda

Photographer Khan was killed in a suicide bomb attack aimed at Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao. The minister escaped with minor injuries, but 28 people died in the attack at a political rally in the small town of Charsadda in Pakistan ‘s North-West Frontier Province.

Three other journalists were injured: ATV cameraman Arif Yousafzai; Siddiqullah, a reporter for the Urdu-language paper Subah; and reporter Ayaz Muhammad of the Associated Press of Pakistan.

Khan, a 22-year-old who had recently begun his journalism career, had contributed photos to local and national publications. He was believed to be working at the time.

Follow-up reports said the bomber was believed to have been a teenage male, and that security at the event may have been lax. The federal and provincial governments were investigating the attack, the Daily Times Web site reported.

Noor Hakim Khan, Daily Pakistan , June 2, 2007 , Bajaur

Khan, a correspondent for the Daily Pakistan and a vice president of the Tribal Union of Journalists, was one of five people killed by a roadside bomb in the Bajaur region of the North-West Frontier Province , near Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan.

New reports suggest that Hakim was returning from covering a jirga, a traditional court. He had been invited to witness the demolition of a house belonging to the perpetrator of a February car bombing that had killed a local physician. The demolition was part of the disposition of the court case. Khan was traveling with a local official and a tribal chief who had taken a role in the case, according to news reports. Their car was third in a convoy returning from the area, reports said, and it might have been specifically targeted.

Javed Khan, Markaz and DM Digital TV, July 3, 2007, Islamabad

Khan, a photographer for the Islamabad-based daily Markaz and a cameraman for U.K.-based DM Digital TV, was shot in the chest and neck while caught in crossfire between government forces and the students of Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) in Islamabad, according to media reports. Four other journalists were wounded in the clashes.

News reports said gunfire came from both sides in the standoff. The source of the fatal shots was not immediately clear. Pakistani security forces had surrounded the mosque in an effort to end a months-long standoff. The mosque, generally seen as pro-Taliban, had been the center of efforts to remove what leaders saw as undesirable activity such as massage parlors and music shops.

Muhammad Arif, ARY One World TV, October 19, 2007, Karachi

Arif was among more than 130 people killed in an October 19 bombing in Karachi , which took place during a political rally held to celebrate former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s homecoming. The cameraman, who was on assignment, was survived by his wife and six children.

Zubair Ahmed Mujahid, Jang, November 23, 2007, Mirpur Khas

Mujahid, correspondent for the national Urdu-language daily Jang, was shot dead while traveling on a motorcycle with another journalist in the city of Mirpur Khas in the southern province of Sindh, according to local news reports. He was targeted by unidentified gunmen, also traveling by motorcycle.

Local journalists believed their colleague was slain because of his investigative reporting, according to Owais Aslam Ali, secretary-general of the local media group Pakistan Press Foundation. Mujahid was known for his critical writing on a variety of issuesncluding alleged mistreatment of the poor by local landlords and policen his Jang weekly column, “Crime and Punishment.” His coverage of alleged police brutality had led to arrests and suspensions of police officers, Ali told CPJ.

Mujahid was survived by a wife and four sons. No arrests were immediately reported.

Rab Nawaz Chandio,
Report for Sindhi daily Halchal was killed in Khurshid Colony in Kotri, by unknown persons. However, till date his murder remained a mystery.

Mazhar Abbas,
Secretary General, PFUJ

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Now the super-nanny state is blocking Internet videos. Actually, to be fair they are actually restricting who may post videos. The only ones allowed to post videos are state-controlled companies.

Now, if the guys and gals in Beijing wanted to drum up support for their action, they could have said the ban was a part of a major anti-piracy move. But instead they focussed on the usual “state security” and “upholding the morality of socialism

And why should the SPJ be concerned?

Right off the top, this is a freedom of expression issue.

But let’s make it more parochial…

Nothing in the statement deals with the issue of independent journalists who might post their stories on the Internet. From the way the directive reads, any posting by from any source other than an authorized state-run entitity is against the law.

Farewell CNN’s I-journalists. So long citizen journalists.

And this is part of the opening Beijing promised for the 2008 Olympics?

Below are the highlights of the AP story as it appeared at CNN.com and the link to the story.

Dan

China limits Internet video to state-controlled companies

• China to restrict videos online, allowing only state-controlled sites to post any
• Internet providers will be required to delete and report a variety of content
• Ban on video involving national secrets, pornography, or harming social stability
• The new regulations will take effect on January 31

HONG KONG, China (AP) — China has moved to restrict videos online, allowing only state-controlled sites to post any — including those shared by users — and requiring Internet providers to delete and report a variety of content.

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/01/03/china.internet.video.ap/index.html?eref=rss_latest