Pakistan intensifies clampdown on journalists, fails to protect rights of minorities, HRW says

Pakistani authorities intensified their clampdown on media, civil society groups, and opposition activists in 2022, while failing to protect the rights of minorities and other at-risk groups, Human Rights Watch said Thursday in its World Report 2023.

Devastating floods that affected one-third of the country had the greatest impact on the poor, who were already reeling from a deepening economic crisis with skyrocketing food and fuel prices. “The space for free expression and dissent in Pakistan is rapidly shrinking,” said Patricia Gossman, associate Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

“Pakistan’s politicians are locked in a power struggle in which a free media and vibrant civil society are the casualties.” According to reports, Pakistani authorities harassed and at times prosecuted human rights defenders and journalists for criticizing government policies.

Violent attacks on members of the media increased. The authorities used blasphemy accusations and an overbroad, colonial-era sedition law against political opponents and journalists.

UNICEF reported that in the immediate aftermath of the floods at least 3.4 million children needed urgent humanitarian assistance and were at an increased risk of waterborne diseases, drowning, and malnutrition. As of August, approximately 16 million affected children lacked housing and access to safe drinking water.