ISLAMABAD: The
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) and its 191 partner organisations, including
Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) in a letter
to the UN Secretary-General António Guterres have urged him to take action to
secure release of 250 jailed journalists worldwide.
“On behalf of the
#FreeThePress campaign, made up of 192 press freedom and human rights
organisations and the more than 11,337 concerned citizens who signed the
petition, we urge you to take immediate action to secure the release of
journalists jailed around the world whose lives are risk due to the spread of
COVID-19,” said the letter.
“For journalists who
have been jailed for their work, freedom is now a matter of life and death.
Imprisoned journalists have no control over their surroundings, cannot choose
to isolate, and are often denied necessary medical care. Many of these
journalists are already in poor or failing health,” said the letter.
According to the
Committee to Protect Journalists’ most recent prison census, there were at
least 250 journalists behind bars in at least 33 countries. While some of those
have been released, others still have been arrested.
“Collectively we
have written several letters to leaders of countries where journalists are
jailed for their work; to the European External Action Service; and to UN
Special Rapporteurs and the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, urging them
to use their offices to advocate for the release of those imprisoned. We are
sharing this petition with you, and with every country currently detaining
journalists, in the hopes that you will use your voice to amplify this call by
more than 11,000 people to #FreeThePress, and send this message to the member
states that make up the United Nations,” said the letter addressed to the UN
chief.
The World Health
Organisation (WHO) states that “People deprived of their liberty, and those
living or working in enclosed environments in their close proximity, are likely
to be more vulnerable to the COVID-19 disease than the general population.”
“We welcomed the
suggestion in your April 23 policy brief, COVID-19 and Human Rights: We are all
in this together, that member states, Resort to non-custodial sanctions and
release of selected categories of prisoners is needed. Reducing numbers in
pre-trial detention, those detained for minor or political offences, near the
end of their sentences, or detained unlawfully should be expedited.”
However, the letter
said, given the urgency of the situation and the vulnerability of these
political prisoners, additional measures must be taken and the UN chief must
make a public statement calling on member states to release jailed journalists
immediately. “We urge you to use your office to protect a free press and ensure
the free flow of information at this crucial time,” the letter added.
Newspaper: The
News
