LAHORE- The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed its concern over harassment of journalists, apparently for reporting on events that show the military regime up in a poor light, saying such events have raised new fears about the press freedom and the safety of newsmen.

In a statement, the HRCP feared that these incidents indicated a renewed effort to muzzle the press and prevent information of relevance to the citizens from being published.

During the last two weeks, there have been reports that an Islamabad based reporter of an English-language daily has faced harassment and threats to his welfare following the publication of a story by him about a controversial, new defamation law under which severe restrictions would be placed on the press and possible prison sentences awarded to the journalists. The reporter had stated that he was being followed and receiving threatening telephone calls, apparently by the members of an intelligence agency, the statement said.

In another incident, the HRCP said, a Quetta-based freelance journalist had been arrested, apparently for writing an article highlighting the excesses of the law enforcing agencies. He is reported to have been charged with inciting public unrest. In yet another case, a reporter in Ghotki was allegedly stripped and beaten up after filing a report on murder that displeased the administration. He is also a correspondent for the HRCP.

The statement termed these incidents as an attempt to silence pressmen and a failure of the regime to ensure freedom of expression despite repeated pledges in this regard.

Source: Dawn
Date:6/8/2002