CPJ Urges Release Of Journalists
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) urged in a letter penned to the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to secure the release of 250 journalists imprisoned in 33 countries across the world. Lending solidarity to the UN’s April 23 “COVID-19 and Human Rights: We are all in this together” policy brief, the CPJ called attention to reducing the number of under and pre-trial detainees, those nearing the end of their sentences, those detailed for petty or political offenses and those unlawfully arrested.
In its plea, the CPJ demanded that journalists be also immediately freed in order to protect press freedoms and to ensure the dissemination of potentially life-saving, authentic information during the pandemic.
Actress Allegedly Raped By Producer
A stage performer was allegedly raped by a drama producer Lahore after being made to drink spiked juice under the pretense of casting the victim in a production. The victim has registered a case with the police who are yet to apprehend the accused.
IHC Suggests Shortening Appeals
The Islamabad High Court has proposed a draft policy to conclude criminal appeals within 3 months in order to address the shortcomings of the existing criminal justice system which perpetuates gross miscarriages of justice. The policy draft comes after IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah decried the state of the criminal justice system on April 4 after acquitting 7 murder accused who had been languishing in jail for nearly a decade awaiting trial.