Rights body condemns ‘arbitrary detention’ of journalist in Pakistan

Islamabad, Dec 19 (IANS) The Human Rights Council (HRC) of Pakistan on Friday expressed serious concern over the continued “arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, and judicial harassment” of Pakistani journalist Sohrab Barkat, warning that the case raises troubling questions about respect for press freedom, due process, and constitutional safeguards in the country.

Barkat, an Islamabad-based correspondent for Pakistani news outlet Siasat, was reportedly detained at Islamabad International Airport on his way to a United Nations conference on November 26.

According to the HRC of Pakistan, Barkat was unlawfully transferred to Lahore after his detention, and subsequently implicated in multiple cases, despite official submissions made to the Islamabad High Court stating that no inquiry or case was pending against him and that he was free to travel.

“The contradiction between court submissions and subsequent actions reflects a disturbing disregard for the rule of law,” it stated.

The rights body noted that actions attributed to Barkat are linked solely to his professional work as a journalist, which includes conducting interviews, editing and publishing news content, reporting on peaceful protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, and covering political dissent and human rights concerns. It added that such activities fall squarely within the legitimate and protected domain of journalism.

The HRC raised alarm over reports that Barkat was detained “without due legal process, produced late before the courts, repeatedly remanded without clear or sustainable charges, and denied adequate access to his family and legal counsel”.

“The emergence of successive cases at critical stages of the legal process appears aimed at obstructing bail and prolonging detention, further deepening concerns about misuse of legal mechanisms,” the rights body stated.

The organisation demanded the immediate release of Barkat, the withdrawal of all fabricated and politically motivated cases against him, and an independent and transparent investigation into his abduction and treatment in custody. It further called on the Pakistani authorities to end the systematic targeting and intimidation of journalists and to uphold Pakistan’s constitutional and international obligations.

“A free and independent press is essential to any democratic society. Journalists are duty-bound to question those in power and to inform the public without fear of reprisal. Criminalising journalism undermines democracy, accountability, and human dignity. Journalism is not a crime, and the continued detention of Sohrab Barkat must come to an end,” the rights body stressed.

--IANS

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