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Rights groups fear use of arrest to stifle free speech in Pakistan
Authorities detained over 30 protesters including journalists and lawyers during Women's Day marches, using restrictive laws to silence dissent and control information, rights groups say.
- On March 8, a Women's Day march in Islamabad left participants detained, with activist Mavra Bari and more than 30 others held by authorities.
- Amnesty International and others warn of a shrinking space for dissent, with human rights monitors saying arrests increasingly stifle free speech and new media regulations limit independent reporting.
- Held for about 12 hours, detainees reported appalling cell conditions with broken toilets, bruises, and swelling, while journalists checked on colleagues at the police station, said Sehrish Qureshi.
- Legal cases against lawyers and commentators highlight widening harassment, as the Committee to Protect Journalists found Pakistan remains among countries where journalists face significant risks.
- Despite praise from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on March 8, a recent disappearance highlights ongoing rights abuses and crackdowns on activists, critics say.
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Rights groups fear use of arrest to stifle free speech in Pakistan
Mavra Bari had intended to take part in a march for International Women's Day in the Pakistani capital Islamabad, but spent it in a cramped prison cell.
·Cherokee County, United States
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Free speech concerns rise after women’s march detentions in Pakistan
Human rights groups are raising serious concerns about freedom of speech in Pakistan after several people were detained during an International Women’s Day march in the capital, Islamabad. Participants say what was meant to be a peaceful celebration turned into a troubling experience. Mavra Bari, a sociologist, shared that she was taken into custody and held for nearly 12 hours. She described poor conditions in detention, including overcrowding …
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Total News Sources45
Leaning Left5Leaning Right9Center12Last UpdatedBias Distribution46% Center
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources are Center
46% Center
L 19%
C 46%
R 35%
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