UNESCO Director-General voices concern for freedom of expression in Pakistan
08-11-2007 (Paris)
Protest against the situation
threatening freedom of
expression in Pakistan.
© IFJ
The Director-General of UNESCO, Koïchiro Matsuura, today expressed concern for freedom of expression in Pakistan and expressed the hope that President Pervez Musharraf would lift restrictions on the media.
Mr Matsuura was responding to the imposition of strict curbs on independent media in Pakistan, decreed on 3 November, when President Musharraf suspended the validity of the Constitution of Pakistan.
“I am concerned about the consequences of the emergency measures announced in Pakistan on the fundamental human right of freedom of expression,” the Director-General declared. “It is important that the citizens of Pakistan continue to have access to free information and sustain free and open debate. Freedom of expression and press freedom are integral to sustainable and peaceful democratic societies,” he concluded.
“I am concerned about the consequences of the emergency measures announced in Pakistan on the fundamental human right of freedom of expression,” the Director-General declared. “It is important that the citizens of Pakistan continue to have access to free information and sustain free and open debate. Freedom of expression and press freedom are integral to sustainable and peaceful democratic societies,” he concluded.
Related themes/countries
· Pakistan
· Freedom of Expression: News Archives 2007
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Contact information
- UNESCO Press Release No.2007-143
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