Brussels, Nov.22 (ANI): The Euro Parliament shows grave concern over recent killing of human rights defender in the recent past in Pakistan. Pakistan's security forces which should protect the activist from different human rights abuses have become a reason of fear for them.
Mario Mauro, Member of the European Parliament and member of South Asia Peace Forum explained that the number of killings of human rights defenders, in many cases with the involvement of Pakistan's intelligence service, the ISI, has increased over the past year. He further explained that the lawyer has long fought for the rights of women and children, religious minorities and bonded laborers and championed the right to religious freedom and freedom from discrimination in Pakistan, challenging the discriminatory laws formed by Pakistani government.
Although being a front-line defender of human rights in Pakistan who was also against the discriminatory laws and practices in place in Pakistan, as well as her criticism of the state of emergency declared by the President of the time, General Musharraf, still in 2007 she was placed under house arrest and threatened with death, he added.
Showing his concern Mr Mario Maurogave the voice to the High Representative/Vice-President that, "whether the European Parliament aware of the increasingly perilous situation for human rights defenders in Pakistan and What steps does the activist like her intend to take to protect their lives?"
The High Representative/Vice-President Ashton on behalf of the Commission answered that the commission is aware of the difficult situation faced by human rights defenders in Pakistan, and of the situation of the lawyer in question. Pakistan is widely considered to be one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists. Criticising the Pakistani government the commission further added that the right to freedom of expression and information is under persistent pressure by both militant groups and state security agencies and the government has not been able to do anything to change that situation. (ANI)
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