MSR’s detention condemned by Naom Chomsky

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World’s renowned rights activist and a political and social critic, Naom Chomsky, has voiced his criticism against the arbitrary detention of Jang-Geo-Group Editor-in-Chief, Mir Shakil-ur-Rehman (MSR).

According to reports of Baaghi TV, the senior activist has condemned the arrest and one-month long detention of a senior journalist of one of the largest media groups of Pakistan.

The petition says, “The arrest of Mir Shakil ur Rahman, the editor-in-chief of the Jang-Geo media group in Pakistan has taken place without a free trial or a conviction against him.”

“Not only has the trial not begun, but no charges have even been framed against him. Yet he has been in a lockup now for over a month practically in solitary confinement,” the petition adds.

The petition has highlighted the international law, according to which if a person is kept in prison for more than 22 hours, without any human interaction, it is considered solitary confinement, which can damage the person psychologically and physically.

Court extends physical remand of Mir Shakil till 18th April

The notes from the petition state that MSR has been cooperating with the authorities on his case which is about a 34-year-old property transaction between two private parties. It is said that he presented himself before the investigators and flew back from outside the country.

According to the petition, there is no further reason to keep Rehman in jail, when the world is suffering from the global pandemic and the governments are setting the non-violent prisoners which have no criminal record free from jail. The elderly and those who have health issues like MSR are also being waived off their punishments.

“Let the case continue against him if there is merit. Let him be arrested if he is found guilty after a trial. This is what fundamental rights are about. This is what an elected government that claims to be democratic should ensure,” the petition urges.

It may be noted that Mir Shakil-ur-Rehman was arrested on the 12th of March by NAB on property dispute. Despite presenting evidence of the transaction, MSR was arrested by the accountability body in violation of court orders. The court subsequently denied him bail, extending his juridical remand.

Many international organisations, including Reporters without Borders, Committee to Protest Journalists, BBC, The New York Times, the US State Department, as well as politicians across the world, have condemned the illegal detention of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman.

Celebrity barrister Amal Clooney’s law firm, Doughty Street Chambers, has also filed a complaint at the United Nations (UN) against the “politically-motivated and arbitrary arrest” of MSR by the National Accountability Bureau.

Naom Chomsky is a renowned name in world politics and is widely known for his political stance against the occupations of Palestine and Kashmir. He has often hailed the atrocities of the Indian troops in Kashmir and compared them with what the Israeli troops are doing in Palestine. He openly advocates that the India Army should move out of Kashmir as the valley has been suffering for many years.

Stay tuned to Baaghi TV for more updates!

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