Human Rights Watch accused the government of Pakistan on Thursday of "concerted and increasing attempts" to silence the media in a letter to President Pervez Musharraf, calling it "another symbol of the lack of rule of law in Pakistan."
In a letter to President Musharraf, HRW cited arrests, violent attacks and murder of journalists, a concerted attempt to silence Aaj TV beginning on April 22, the physical attack in March on Geo TV, pressure on daily Dawn, and other acts against media and journalists seen critical of the regime.
"Human Rights Watch is concerned about concerted and increasing attempts by the Pakistani government to muzzle the media," said the letter from the New York-based group.
"Though your government has consistently claimed that the media in Pakistan enjoys 'unprecedented' freedom, this remains limited to publications and television channels that support your government and you personally."
"Your government's failure to allow freedom of expression as required by international law has become yet another symbol of the lack of rule of law in Pakistan, which is fundamental to the promotion and protection of human rights," said the letter, dated April 27 and signed by HRW Asia region executive director Brad Adams.
"We urge you to demonstrate a commitment to genuine media freedom by bringing to an end the use of coercion, intimidation, kidnapping and torture, or the threat of it, in government dealings with the print and electronic media in Pakistan".
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