International journalists, right groups criticises Musharrafs new PEMRA law

International journalists and human rights groups like Human Rights Watch have condemned the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) amended Ordinance 2007, which restricts media freedom.

New York, June 7 : International journalists and human rights' groups like Human Rights Watch have condemned the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) amended Ordinance 2007, which restricts media freedom.

Human Rights Watch has demanded the immediate withdrawal of the presidential decree.

"Musharraf's decree is a disgraceful assault on media freedom imposed by a leader who came to power by a coup, instead of the ballot box," said Brad Adams, the Asia director of Human Rights Watch.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) expressed solidarity with the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) by supporting their call to observe June 7 as a 'Black Day'.

"Journalists' organisations around the world should come together in order to force the Pakistan Government to protect the freedom of the press and strike down the culture of impunity that has pervaded the country," the Dawn quoted IFJ Asia-Pacific director Jacqueline Park, as saying.

The blatant violation of the human rights, freedom of expression, and the rule of law will not be tolerated any more, Park said.

ANI