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PAKISTAN: An alleged abduction and torture of a journalist by military personnel and the banning of a Sindh television channel by the government

November 24, 2006

[NOTICE: The AHRC have developed a new automatic letter-sending system using the "button" below. However, in this appeal, we could not include e-mail addresses of some of the Pakistan authorities. We encourage you to send your appeal letters via fax or post to those people. Fax numbers and postal addresses of the Pakistan authorities are attached below with this appeal. Thank you.]

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ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME

Urgent Appeal

24 November 2006
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UA-381-2006: PAKISTAN: An alleged abduction and torture of a journalist by military personnel and the banning of a Sindh television channel by the government

PAKISTAN: Attack on journalist; restriction of free media; violation of the right to movement of media persons; un-rule of law
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Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is deeply concerned by an alleged abduction and subsequent torture of a senior journalist of the BBC by the military personnel from Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Pakistan on 20 November 2006. He was reportedly tortured for about 30 hours at an unknown place and then thrown in a far flung jungle. In a separate incident, the transmissions of Sindh Television network based in Bangkok, Thailand have been banned according to verbal instruction of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) since 8 November 2006. As far as we have confirmed, no valid written notice has been issued by the PEMRA regarding this matter. The alleged reason is that this Sindh Television was producing a weekly satirical program about the performance of the Pakistan government and government ministers including the president and prime minister.

CASE DETAILS:
 
On 20 November 2006, Mr. Dilawar Khan Wazir, the correspondent of British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) who is also the reporter of Daily Dawn, the largest English newspaper of Pakistan, was allegedly abducted by the plain clothed men in broad daylight from just opposite the Police Head Quarters in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Pakistan. Mr. Dilawar was severely beaten on the street and then forcibly put in a taxi. Mr. Dilawar was then taken into a secrete place and severely tortured whilst blindfolded. After being captured for about 30 hours, he was been left in a far flung jungle.

Mr. Dilawar is the correspondent at South Waziristan where the Pakistan Army with the collaboration of United States Central Army command is holding military operations in the name of the war against terror.

After his release, Mr. Dilawar told local reporters as well as the BBC that during his captivity, the abductors interrogated him about how he goes inside the places where army is having operations and gets the real stories so quickly. Mr. Mazhar Abass, Secretary General of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, accused that the manner of the abduction and the interrogation by the abductors shows the incident was done by the Intelligence Agencies (Military) of Pakistan.

In fact, there were several attacks on Mr. Dilawar's family prior to this incident. In December 2005, there was an explosion outside his family's residence. On 30 August 2006, Mr. Dilawar's 15-year-old younger brother Taimur Khan Wazir was also kidnapped by unidentified persons and later found in severe condition in the outskirts of Wana, the capital of South Waziristan, bordering Afghanistan. He succumbed to his injuries on the way to hospital. It is believed that all these incidents are to terrorise Mr. Dilawar's family in order to intimidate his work.

After the incident, the journalists and opposition parties protested against the kidnapping and subsequent torture of Mr. Dilawar. The journalists boycotted coverage of the assembly and senate sessions and other government functions. During the protest in Senate sessions, the minister for parliamentary affairs allegedly replied to a question of a leader of one opposition party that "There is no need to go in details of abductions, who did abduction and torture, since he is released. So it is okay."

In 2006, more than dozen of journalists were reportedly abducted and tortured, while 5 of them were found dead.

In a separate incident, a Bangkok based Pakistani television network, Sindh Television's transmissions were stopped according to verbal instructions of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) since 8 November 2006. It is reported that the PEMRA verbally instructed cable operators throughout the country not to transmit the Sindh Television channel. As far as we have confirmed, no authorised written notice has been given to the cable operators as well as the management of the concerned TV channel.

The Sindh TV channel was popular in Pakistan for highlighting the mismanagement of the Pakistan government. Just one day before Eid ceremonies in late October, the Sindh TV broadcast a satirical show about the highest political and military officers of the government including the president and prime minister. The Managing Director and other staff of the TV channel contacted the government in this regard but they were told that the government would not allow its transmissions from outside the country.

The opposition parties in the national assembly criticized this government action against the Sindh Television and further accused the military that this was done on the behest of military and its intelligence agencies.

It is common feature in Pakistan that the government orders the cable operators not to broadcast the transmissions of free electronic television channels which openly criticized the government. For example, on 19 September 2006, Punjab provincial government reportedly instructed all the cable operators in the province not to broadcast the transmissions of a popular Dubai based Pakistan channel, the ARY Television. After 10 days, the Punjab government allowed its transmissions again after facing huge protests throughout the country as well as international criticism.

The AHRC also wishes to remind you that the transmissions of the Mast FM 103 radio station in Balakot have been stopped since 26 September 2006 as the PEMRA took a discriminatory action against it and did not renewed its broadcast license. This radio station was vocal against corruption of the government's aid programmes in the earthquake affected area (See further: UA-316-2006). Mr. Basil Fernando, Executive Director of the AHRC sent an open letter to the PEMRA regarding this case and urged its affirmative action (AHRC-OL-065-2006).

SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write to the relevant authorities listed below and demand their urgent intervention into these two cases. Please urge them to conduct a prompt and independent inquiry into the alleged abduction and torture of Mr. Dilawar, identify those responsible and take legal action against them. Please also urge them to ensure that the transmissions of free TV channels including the Sindh TV are restored without delay.

To support this appeal, please click:

Sample letter:

Dear __________,

PAKISTAN: An alleged abduction and torture of a journalist by military personnel and a ban of the Sindh television channel by the government

CASE 1: ABDUCTION AND TORTURE OF A JOUNALIST
Name of victim: Mr. Dilawar Khan Wazir, the correspondent of British Broad Casting Corporation (BBC) and also the reporter of Daily Dawn, the largest English newspaper of Pakistan
Alleged perpetrators: unidentified men who are believed as military intelligence personnel
Date of abduction: 20 November 2006
Place of abduction: Opposite of the Police Head Quarter in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Pakistan

CASE 2: BAN OF THE SINDH TV CHANNEL
Name of victim: Bangkok based Pakistani television network, Sindh Television
Authority responsible: Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA)
Duration of ban of the transmissions: from 8 November 2006 to date

I am deeply concerned by two incidents of restriction of the freedom of expression in Pakistan.

I was informed that on 20 November 2006, Mr. Dilawar Khan Wazir, the correspondent of British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and also the reporter of Daily Dawn was allegedly abducted by plain clothed men just opposite the Police Head Quarters in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Pakistan. He was taken into a secret place and severely tortured while being blindfolded. After being captured for about 30 hours, he was been thrown in a far flung jungle. Mr. Dilawar is the correspondent at South Waziristan where Pakistan Army with collaboration of United States Central Army command is holding military operations in the name of war against terror.

Reasonable suspicion arose that the Intelligence Agencies (Military) of Pakistan might be involved in his abduction, considering the manner of the abduction and the interrogation by the abductors. I was informed that the abductors interrogated him how he goes inside the places where the army is having operations and gets the real stories so quickly.

I am also annoyed to learn that the minister for parliamentary affairs allegedly replied to a question of a leader of one opposition party regarding the incident that "There is no need to go in details of abductions, who did abduction and torture, since he is released. So it is okay." It makes me doubt as to whether the Pakistan government has sincere willingness to deal with this matter. As far as I know, only during 2006, more than dozen of journalists were reportedly abducted and tortured, while 5 of them were found dead.

I was also informed that a Bangkok based Pakistani television network, Sindh Television's transmissions were stopped according to verbal instruction of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) since 8 November 2006. It is alleged that the PEMRA verbally instructed to cable operators throughout the country not to transmit Sindh Television channel. As far as I confirmed, no authorised written notice has been given to the cable operators as well as the management of the concerned TV channel.

I was also informed that the alleged reason for this action against the Sindh TV channel is because it broadcasted a satirical show highlighting the mismanagement of the Pakistan government. I appeal to you that this government action breaches the freedom of expression that enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan as well as the International Covenant for Civil and Political Rights.

In fact, it seems to me that it is common feature in Pakistan that the government order the cable operators not to broadcast the transmissions of free electronic television channels which openly criticized the government. For example, I was informed that on 19 September 2006, the Punjab provincial government reportedly instructed all the cable operators in the province not to broadcast the transmissions of a popular Dubai based Pakistan channel the ARY Television. I am also aware that the transmissions of the Mast FM 103 radio station in Balakot have been stopped since 26 September 2006 as the PEMRA took a discriminatory action against it and did not renewed its broadcast license. This radio station was vocal against corruption of the government's aid programmes in the earthquake affected area.

In light of above, I strongly urge you to intervene into these matters immediately. Please take appropriate measures to ensure that an immediate, thorough and impartial inquiry is conducted into the alleged abduction and torture of Mr. Dilawar and identify the alleged perpetrators. If the military intelligence is proven to be involved in this incident, strong legal action should be taken against those responsible. I also urge you to take urgent action to ensure that the transmissions of free TV channels including the Sindh TV are restored without delay. Lastly, I again urge the Government of Pakistan to fully respect the freedom of the expression and stop restrictions on the free media in the country.

Yours truly,


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PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:

1. General Pervez Musharraf
President
President's Secretariat
Islamabad
PAKISTAN
Fax: +92 51 922 1422, 4768/ 920 1893 or 1835
E-mail: (please see - http://www.presidentofpakistan.gov.pk/WTPresidentMessage.aspx)

2. Mr. Muhammad Wasi Zafar
Minister of Law, Justice and Human Rights
S Block
Pakistan Secretariat
Islamabad
PAKISTAN
Fax: +92 51 920 2628
E-Mail: minister@molaw.gov.pk

3. Joint Secretary for Law, Justice and Human Rights
S Block,
Pakistan Secretariat,
Islamabad,
PAKISTAN
Tel: + 92 51 920 2819
Fax: + 92 51 920 3119

4. Mr. Iftikhar Rashid
Chairperson
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority
Green Trust Tower, 6th Floor, Jinnah Avenue,
Blue Area, Islamabad
PAKISTAN
Tel: 0092-051-9222320/26/32/40/42/43/45/50/51/52/56
Fax: 0092-051-9207419
E-mail: ctv@pemra.gov.pk, info@pemra.gov.pk 

5. Mr. Ambeyi Ligabo
UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression
c/o J Deriviero
OHCHR-UNOG
8-14 Avenue de la Paix
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 917 9177
Fax: +41 22 917 9006 (ATTN: SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION)

6. Prof. Manfred Nowak
Special Rapporteur on the Question of Torture
Attn: Safir Syed
c/o OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 917 9230
Fax: +41 22 917 9016 (ATTN: SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR TORTURE)


Thank you.

Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ahrchk@ahrchk.org)


Document Type :
Urgent Appeal Case
Document ID :
UA-381-2006
Countries :
Issues :
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Extended Introduction: Urgent Appeals, theory and practice

A need for dialogue

Many people across Asia are frustrated by the widespread lack of respect for human rights in their countries.  Some may be unhappy about the limitations on the freedom of expression or restrictions on privacy, while some are affected by police brutality and military killings.  Many others are frustrated with the absence of rights on labour issues, the environment, gender and the like. 

Yet the expression of this frustration tends to stay firmly in the private sphere.  People complain among friends and family and within their social circles, but often on a low profile basis. This kind of public discourse is not usually an effective measure of the situation in a country because it is so hard to monitor. 

Though the media may cover the issues in a broad manner they rarely broadcast the private fears and anxieties of the average person.  And along with censorship – a common blight in Asia – there is also often a conscious attempt in the media to reflect a positive or at least sober mood at home, where expressions of domestic malcontent are discouraged as unfashionably unpatriotic. Talking about issues like torture is rarely encouraged in the public realm.

There may also be unwritten, possibly unconscious social taboos that stop the public reflection of private grievances.  Where authoritarian control is tight, sophisticated strategies are put into play by equally sophisticated media practices to keep complaints out of the public space, sometimes very subtly.  In other places an inner consensus is influenced by the privileged section of a society, which can control social expression of those less fortunate.  Moral and ethical qualms can also be an obstacle.

In this way, causes for complaint go unaddressed, un-discussed and unresolved and oppression in its many forms, self perpetuates.  For any action to arise out of private frustration, people need ways to get these issues into the public sphere.

Changing society

In the past bridging this gap was a formidable task; it relied on channels of public expression that required money and were therefore controlled by investors.  Printing presses were expensive, which blocked the gate to expression to anyone without money.  Except in times of revolution the media in Asia has tended to serve the well-off and sideline or misrepresent the poor.

Still, thanks to the IT revolution it is now possible to communicate with large audiences at little cost.  In this situation there is a real avenue for taking issues from private to public, regardless of the class or caste of the individual.

Practical action

The AHRC Urgent Appeals system was created to give a voice to those affected by human rights violations, and by doing so, to create a network of support and open avenues for action.  If X’s freedom of expression is denied, if Y is tortured by someone in power or if Z finds his or her labour rights abused, the incident can be swiftly and effectively broadcast and dealt with. The resulting solidarity can lead to action, resolution and change. And as more people understand their rights and follow suit, as the human rights consciousness grows, change happens faster. The Internet has become one of the human rights community’s most powerful tools.   

At the core of the Urgent Appeals Program is the recording of human rights violations at a grass roots level with objectivity, sympathy and competence. Our information is firstly gathered on the ground, close to the victim of the violation, and is then broadcast by a team of advocates, who can apply decades of experience in the field and a working knowledge of the international human rights arena. The flow of information – due to domestic restrictions – often goes from the source and out to the international community via our program, which then builds a pressure for action that steadily makes its way back to the source through his or her own government.   However these cases in bulk create a narrative – and this is most important aspect of our program. As noted by Sri Lankan human rights lawyer and director of the Asian Human Rights Commission, Basil Fernando:

"The urgent appeal introduces narrative as the driving force for social change. This idea was well expressed in the film Amistad, regarding the issue of slavery. The old man in the film, former president and lawyer, states that to resolve this historical problem it is very essential to know the narrative of the people. It was on this basis that a court case is conducted later. The AHRC establishes the narrative of human rights violations through the urgent appeals. If the narrative is right, the organisation will be doing all right."

Patterns start to emerge as violations are documented across the continent, allowing us to take a more authoritative, systemic response, and to pinpoint the systems within each country that are breaking down. This way we are able to discover and explain why and how violations take place, and how they can most effectively be addressed. On this path, larger audiences have opened up to us and become involved: international NGOs and think tanks, national human rights commissions and United Nations bodies.  The program and its coordinators have become a well-used tool for the international media and for human rights education programs. All this helps pave the way for radical reforms to improve, protect and to promote human rights in the region.