Director-General concerned by continued curbs on press freedom in Pakistan
26-11-2007 (Paris)
Handcuffed journalists on their
way to court in Karachi.
© IFJ
The Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, today voiced concern over continued repression of press freedom in Pakistan and once again urged President Pervez Musharraf to lift restrictions on the media.
“I am very concerned about continuing measures against press freedom in Pakistan,” the Director-General said upon hearing of the arrest of 180 journalists in demonstrations against censorship.
“Curtailing the basic human right of freedom of expression and preventing media professionals from carrying out their duties is not going to contribute to internal peace and development,” Mr Matsuura said. “I therefore ask President Pervez Musharraf to lift restrictions on the freedom of the media in the country.”
“The fight against terrorism,” he concluded, “must contribute to the defence of democracy, not to its erosion.”
The arrests are reported to have taken place during a nationwide protest organized by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ). According to the International Federation of Journalists, many protestors were injured during the demonstrations.
“Curtailing the basic human right of freedom of expression and preventing media professionals from carrying out their duties is not going to contribute to internal peace and development,” Mr Matsuura said. “I therefore ask President Pervez Musharraf to lift restrictions on the freedom of the media in the country.”
“The fight against terrorism,” he concluded, “must contribute to the defence of democracy, not to its erosion.”
The arrests are reported to have taken place during a nationwide protest organized by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ). According to the International Federation of Journalists, many protestors were injured during the demonstrations.
Related themes/countries
· Pakistan
· Freedom of Expression: News Archives 2007
· Press Freedom: News Archives 2007
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- UNESCO Press Release No.149
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