HL Deb 27 May 1999 vol 601 cc116-7WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have made representations to the Government of the Republic of Pakistan about the arrest and alleged mistreatment of senior journalists including Najam Sethi, editor of the Friday Times, Lahore, and Hussain Haqqani, former correspondent for the Far Eastern Economic Review. [HL2595]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

The Foreign Secretary has written to the Pakistan Foreign Minister to express concern at the arrest of Mr. Sethi and other journalists in Pakistan. We hope that any charges brought against them will be dealt with in accordance with due legal process. We also joined our EU partners in sending a similar message to the Government of Pakistan.

The Earl of Sandwich

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Government of Pakistan is conducting a campaign of intimidation and harassment against human rights and anti-slavery organisations, including the Human Rights Commission; and, if so, whether they will lodge suitable protest through diplomatic and United Nations channels. [HL2622]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

We areconcerned that the recent de-registration of 1941 non-governmental organisations by the Punjab provincial government, as part of its stated campaign against fraud, should not threaten free speech and civil society in Pakistan. We have raised our concerns with the Pakistan Government.