LAHORE: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) expressed its reservations after the Lahore High Court issued non-bailable arrest warrant for journalist Cyril Almeida, requiring him to appear at the next hearing of a case seeking action against former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the charges of treason for his statement regarding Mumbai attacks.
In a statement issued on Monday, the HRCP termed the court’s decision ‘regrettable’, adding that ‘Mr Almeida, a widely read and highly respected journalist, is being hounded for nothing more than doing his job – speaking on the record to a political figure and reporting the facts. As a law-abiding citizen, Mr Almeida has no reason not to appear before the court as directed. Placing him on the Exit Control List (ECL) and issuing a non-bailable warrant is an excessive measure”.
The statement continued, “The ease with which Mr Almeida’s interview with the former Prime Minister was perceived as an attempt to allegedly defame state institutions, and the pace at which this has spiralled into charges of treason, only serve to further choke press freedom in Pakistan. Journalism – sensible, rational, independent journalism – is not a crime. It most certainly is not treason. HRCP strongly urges the honourable court to give Mr Almeida the opportunity to appear at the scheduled hearing and to have his name removed from the ECL immediately.”
Published in Daily Times, September 25th 2018.