LONDON – Amnesty International on Monday demanded the government to immediately and unconditionally release hundreds of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) activists, lift restrictions on their movement and take all appropriate measures to ensure that people are allowed to exercise their right to peaceful assembly.
The call comes as Government have intensified their crackdown on PTI protests.
Amnesty International claims that it has received credible reports that hundreds of people have been arrested under Section 144 of the Penal Code, “a draconian colonial-era law that forbids the gathering of more than four people, and represents an undue restriction on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.”
“There is no justification for this repressive crackdown. Pakistan’s constitution guarantees people the rights to freedom of assembly, expression and movement. The authorities should immediately and unconditionally release all the people arrested solely for exercising their rights and allow them to protest peacefully,” said Champa Patel, Amnesty International’s South Asia Director.
Last week, Section 144 was imposed across the cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, forbidding the gathering of more than four people.
“Section 144 is a draconian colonial-era law that clearly has no place in a rights-respecting society. It should never be used to unduly restrict the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and needs to be repealed,” said Champa Patel.
“If sporadic incidents of violence occur, the authorities should identify the responsible people. Using the violent acts of a few as a pretext to restrict or impede the rights of a majority is in clear violation of Pakistan’s obligations under international law.”
Amnesty International further expressed concerns over reports of journalists being intimidated and threatened by protestors demanding favourable coverage.
“Journalists and human rights defenders play an important role during protests. All media workers covering the protests should be allowed to do their jobs freely and without fear of attacks or intimidation,” said Champa Patel.
