LAHORE: The Human Rights Day will just be an occasion to mark and not celebrate as in Pakistan rights of humans, especially those that ensure freedom of speech, are not being ensured. The freedom of speech, guaranteed under Article 19 of the Constitution, remained under constant threat throughout the year.
Moreover, the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016 is under criticism, being called a gag on cyber space. This law has criminalised a wide range of speech online, including legitimate, political and religious expression, with harsh prison sentences and fines.
Critics are of the view that vulnerable and marginalised sections of the society — religious, ethnic and sexual minorities— will now be at even further risk if and when they express themselves in cyber space.
On Friday, a social worker, Zubiar Niazi, challenged the PECA before the Lahore High Court, saying it was contrary to the fundamental rights.
Bytes for All Director Shahzad Ahmad said many cases of criminal charges are registered against common citizens for their personal views. “This trend is indeed alarming as we are losing our freedom on the internet as well, which is our last bastion of free speech.”
Unsafe cyber space
The comments posted on social media and television channels continue to be the reason of life threats and implication in cases of blasphemy. Several notices were issued to different channels, along with imposition of hefty fines.
More than 112 notices, requiring different televisions to show cause, warnings and for apology were issued. Besides, over 64 notices of imposition of fine were issued to channels while nine television stations were ordered to go offline and 11 television channels airing contents on Christianity were also blocked.
In a statement, renowned rights activist and former president of Supreme Court Bar Association Asma Jahangir said human rights need more protection than ever before as the trend of democratic institutions is to undermine people’s rights in the name of security. She added freedom of expression and media remains under constant threat of the 2015 code of conduct issued by Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority.
The Electronic Media (Programmes and Advertisements) Code of Conduct, 2015 was issued by the Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and Heritage on the directives of the Supreme Court.
While calling on human rights activists, Asma said they should put together a plan of action so that the Parliament addresses violation of human rights laws that discriminate.
She added intergovernmental commissions remain subdued and have not raised their voices against several critical incidents of human rights’ violations. Sadly these commissions remain invisible, she said.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 10th, 2016.
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