No room for dissenters

Press release

No room for dissenters

Lahore, 7 June 2018. The Human Rights Commission (HRCP) has expressed its ‘grave concern’ over the increasing frequency and ‘sheer impunity’ with which anyone critical of the state is being targeted, reportedly by security agencies.

In a statement issued earlier today, HRCP has said that it is ‘appalled at the recent abduction of Gul Bukhari, a journalist known for her views on law enforcement organizations. While Ms Bukhari was returned safely home within a few hours, the fact that she was summarily “picked up” from the Lahore Cantonment should make it clear that enforced disappearances are rapidly becoming the norm—an easy and arbitrary means of intimidating those who do not toe the line.’

Taking note of the recent press briefing held by the DG ISPR on 4 June, HRCP has also expressed its ‘strong disapproval’ of the slide display of images and names of social media users and of branding them ‘anti-state’. ‘With less than two months to the elections,’ added the Commission, ‘an ominous pattern seems to be emerging: even the slightest expression of political dissent, especially by journalists and social media activists, can be labelled “anti-state”, often with worrying implications for their physical safety.

‘HRCP feels acutely that this election is critical—more so than before—to preserving the country’s fragile democratic order. The right to non-violent dissent is part of this democratic order. We strongly condemn any use of extra constitutional means to intimidate and harass citizens, or to put them in a position that might compromise their safety.’

Dr Mehdi Hasan

Chairperson

Category: English