Annual report critic­ises author­ities on enforc­ed disapp­earanc­es, hails 'histor­ic' legisl­ation on transg­ender rights­Amnesty International has criticised what it claims is an “intensifying” crackdown on freedom of expression in Pakistan, according to an an annual report of the London-based human rights group released on Thursday. According to Amnesty International, enforced disappearances in the country remain a wide-spread problem, as journalists and human rights defenders, as well as internet bloggers, bear the brunt of this clampdown. Freedom of expressionIdentifying the cases of enforced disappearances involving internet bloggers, journalists, human rights defenders, and activists, Amnesty International accused senior government officials of “exacerbating tensions” around sensitive issues. In a worrying evaluation, the group reported that a “significant percentage” of these lie in Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Balochistan. However, the London-based non-profit group has expressed its disappointment over a protection of minorities bill which has still not been ratified.

Source: The Express Tribune February 22, 2018 10:56 UTC