‘Arbitrary detention and torture’ Human Rights Council expressed concern over journalist case in Pakistan

Pakistan News In Hindi: The Human Rights Council of Pakistan (HRC Pakistan) has expressed deep concern over the ongoing detention, alleged enforced disappearance and judicial harassment of journalist Sohrab Barkat. The Council says that this case is not only a violation of the fundamental rights of a journalist, but also raises serious questions on the status of press freedom, legal process and constitutional protection in the country.

According to the HRC, Sohrab Barkat, a correspondent for Islamabad-based Pakistani news medium Siasat, was detained on November 26 as he was traveling from Islamabad International Airport to attend a United Nations conference. The council claims that after his detention, he was illegally transferred to Lahore and several cases were registered against him one after the other.

worried about government

The council said that earlier it was officially clarified in the Islamabad High Court that there is no investigation or criminal case pending against Sohrab Barkat and he can travel freely. Despite this, there were clear contradictions between statements made in court and subsequent actions, which HRC described as a worrying disregard for the rule of law.

Legitimate and protected scope of journalism

The Human Rights Council says that all the charges against Barkat are related to his professional journalistic work. These include conducting interviews, editing and publishing news content, reporting on peaceful protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, and coverage of political dissent and human rights issues. The Council clarified that all these activities fall within the legitimate and protected scope of journalism and treating them as crimes is against democratic values.

New cases emerge at important stages

The HRC also alleged that Sohrab Barkat was detained without due process of law, delayed in bringing him to court, and repeatedly remanded in the absence of clear and concrete charges. Additionally, he was not given the opportunity to have adequate contact with his family and legal counsel. According to the Council, the emergence of new cases at critical stages of the legal process appears to be a strategy to obstruct bail and prolong detention.

Call to honor obligations

The Human Rights Council calls for the immediate release of Sohrab Barkat, the withdrawal of all allegedly fabricated and politically motivated cases filed against him, and an independent and transparent investigation into his alleged abduction and treatment during his detention. Additionally, Pakistani authorities are called upon to end their policy of targeting and intimidating journalists and to respect the Constitution and international human rights obligations.

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The Council stressed that a free and impartial press is the foundation of any democratic society. It is the duty of journalists to question those in power and inform the public without fear. Criminalizing journalism undermines democracy, accountability and human dignity.

(With IANS inputs)