Pakistan govt should respect citizens’ right to speak, organize, demonstrate peacefully: US Congressman
Brad Sharman, the United States Representative for California’s 32nd Congressional District, said on Tuesday that the government of Pakistan should respect the right of citizens to speak, organize and demonstrate peacefully.
The US Congressman wrote a letter to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on human rights and democracy in Pakistan. “It is important that we see a peaceful, orderly, democratic and prosperous Pakistan where Pakistanis can have a free and open political dialogue,” he said.
In his letter, Sharman urged Blinken to guide US Pakistan policy towards a greater commitment to human rights and to use all US diplomatic channels to investigate alleged abuses and urge Pakistani officials to hold accountable anyone responsible. Asked to do.
Sherman urged US officials to ensure that going forward, political figures or citizens in Pakistan who simply wish to demonstrate are not subjected to undemocratic consequences.
In a letter addressed to Secretary Blinken on Tuesday, Sherman wrote, “I am particularly concerned by the events of the past year, particularly the alleged torture and even political killings of former PM Khan’s chief of staff Shahbaz Gill and journalist Jameel Farooqi.” Sexual abuse of celebrities too.” ,
“Thankfully they were both released, but the chilling effect of their detention and treatment is still reverberating.” cited “several credible allegations of political adversaries* in Pakistan during previous governments,” Sherman further wrote.
According to the US Congressman, HRW also questioned the treason charges against Gill. The April 6 arrest of former Pakistan minister Ali Amin Gandapur added to these concerns.
Equally, Sherman said the multiple cases against Khan, the use of force against his supporters, the detention of protesters under broad anti-terrorism laws, and closed spaces for free speech.
“A related example of this is Pakistan’s media regulator’s March 5 ban on television channels broadcasting speeches and news conferences by Mr. Khan and suspension of license of private news channel ARY News.”
“This is the third ban on the broadcast and re-broadcast of the former prime minister’s speeches and press briefings since he was removed from power. Amnesty International criticized these developments for targeting critical voices and endangering press freedom. A disturbing display of how to use the country’s media regulatory authority.”
“Equally in late March former Prime Minister Khan will be removed from the political arena by Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan,” he wrote.
Sharman said in his letter to Blinken that he was pleased to see the State Department spokesperson comment that any implication of violence, harassment or intimidation has no place in politics, and that all parties in Pakistan must respect the rule of law. their incentive to do and allow. The people of Pakistan should democratically determine the leadership of their country.
Sherman wrote, “The officials’ efforts to delay elections in two key provinces are another sign of deficiencies in democratic processes. The government must respect the Supreme Court’s ruling that elections must be held on time.”
According to Sherman, fair and timely elections are an essential part of a democracy.
In Pakistan, “abuses routinely go unpunished, fostering a culture of impunity among perpetrators and instilling fear among victims,” they wrote.
In the letter, the US Congressman said that the US-Pakistan relationship is one of the most important foreign policy relations and should accordingly reflect US priorities with respect to democracy, human rights and the rule of law in Pakistan.
He said it is in America’s national interest to support human rights in Pakistan. Sharman wrote, “When the human rights of the Pakistani people are at stake, we should not shy away from raising our voices.”
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