ISLAMABAD: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), in its flagshipannual report ‘the State of Human Rights in 2021’, has expressed seriousreservations concerning freedom of expression in 2021, *The News*linkSaturday.
According to HRCP data, in at least nine cases, journalists wereintimidated or silenced altogether, whether in the form of assault,enforced disappearance, murder or overt censorship.
“Additionally, the previous government will be remembered for attempting toimpose the draconian Pakistan Media Development Authority Ordinance on thepress. With this fundamental right in peril, all other rights too wereincreasingly constricted,” it said.
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The state’s attempts to expand the scope of restrictions on freedom ofexpression under Article 19 of the Constitution have emboldened non-stateactors to impose their whims — often violently — on those who do not agreewith them.
