HRCP slams newsman`s killing

Lahore: Feb 28: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has strongly condemned the murder of Malik Mumtaz, a journalist based at Miranshah, South Waziristan on Wednesday. The HRCP stated that the murder is a continuation of the disturbing trend of increasing violence against journalists. The fact that Mumtaz is the fifth journalist to be killed in the first two months of 2013 highlights the vulnerability and the threats those in the journalism profession face. At least 10 journalists were killed in the year 2012.

The HRCP terms the murder and the past episodes as direct attacks on freedom of the media. The response of both the Federal and Provincial governments has been completely in adequate as journalists continue to be attacked with impunity. The HRCP has called upon the government to bring the culprits to justice and further take all necessary measures to guarantee the safety of journalists in order to allow an enabling environment for them to work freely and without intimidation. The duty of the employers in his matter is obvious.

Zohra Yusuf

Chairperson

Category: English