South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR), a regional network of human rights defenders, is deeply alarmed by a spate of severe threats and intimidation directed at journalists, and legal enforcement agents such as judges who are in the process of working on false blasphemy cases in the country by Islamist gangs. The latest incident reported is the threat and intimidation directed against Munizae Jahangir, a senior journalist and an anchor, Co-Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and SAHR Bureau Member.
It is reported that in recent times the people of Pakistan have been victimised upon being framed on false blasphemy charges to extort money. Last year a police report of the Punjab government confirmed that there is a “blasphemy gang” which has made a business out of framing and honey trapping Pakistani youth on false blasphemy charges and then blackmailing them.
However judges who have given bail to those accused on blasphemy charges have also been threatened online. SAHR notes that Sindh High Court Justice Iqbal Kalhoro also became the target of such intimidation. Justice Kalhoro granted bail to eight individuals accused of blasphemy. More recently this month, Islamabad High Court (IHC) judge Sardar Ijaz Ishaq faced threats and was the target of a hate campaign by extremist groups after he ordered the setting up of the commission to investigate allegations of the misuse of the blasphemy law.
Several journalists reporting on the incident have been threatened by the gang. Islamabad based journalist Aizaz Syed also faced a barrage of threats after he broadcast a critical analysis of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), a religio-political party whose members have been in the forefront when it comes to acting as complainants in blasphemy cases. Previously noted journalists Ahmed Noorani and Nayyar Ali have also been threatened by extremist gangs for tackling the issue of false blasphemy charges on the youth.
SAHR believes that silencing a journalist or intimidating a member of the judiciary is equivalent to a blatant violation of freedom of expression and a breach of democratic values of people in the country. SAHR believes that this trend of threats and intimidation will gradually strain the judiciary and the integrity of the legal system.
SAHR firmly calls upon the Government of Pakistan as well as the provincial administration of Lahore to immediately set up an effective and impartial investigation into this incident and hold the perpetrators accountable. SAHR also strongly advocates to the relevant government authorities to foster an environment conducive for the journalists to engage with professional integrity while preserving their personal safety. Finally, SAHR reiterates the call repeatedly made by the human rights community at national, regional and global level to the Government of Pakistan to repeal the draconian blasphemy laws and safeguard the rights and freedoms of the people as enshrined in the Constitution.
On behalf of the members of South Asians for Human Rights
Dr. Roshmi Goswami
Co-Chairperson
Dr. P. Saravanamuttu
Bureau Member