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Date: 19th April 2005
Police Torture on Journalists
Islamabad. The Parliamentarians Commission for Human Rights (PCHR) in its press release has criticized the act of police authorities for inflicting atrocities upon journalists in Lahore. Commenting upon the incident, Mr. Shafiqe Chaudhry, Chief Coordinator PCHR said that press is fourth pillar of the state and it has enormous role in the success of democracy in any country. Well-informed and vigilant citizens is one of the pre-requisite of democracy and intellectual growth of the people in civil society. The statement was issued in the wake of atrocities inflicted by the police on journalists in Lahore.
He urged the government to take necessary action against the responsible police officials. He maintained that such kind of incidents provide opportunity to people who wants to send bad image of our country abroad. He added that such sort of atrocious acts upon journalists by law enforcing agencies is a step to put barriers in the freedom of expression and information, which is one of the basic human rights. He said that snatching videos cameras and mobile phones from the journalists by police authorities is a severe criticizing act. Every one in the state has right to information and this right hold paramount importance especially in the society claiming to be the democratic one.
Mr. Shafiqe Chaudhry stressed upon the government to take action those offenders involved in committing this atrocity. He also said that keeping in view the gravity of the matter, government should launch independent and impartial inquiry to look into the matter and for bringing the offenders to the justice.
Following numbers will be reachable round the clock for any information or help: Media Cell PCHR |
