 |
Colombo moot slates India, Pakistan, Nepal for interferenceTHE representatives of journalists organizations of Saarc countries have accused the governments of India, Pakistan and Nepal of their alleged interference in the internal affairs of each other. The representatives of Saarc countries who assembled in Colombo, Sri Lanka, have aired their reservations and expressed their resentment over the sorry state of affairs prevailing in these countries. Besides, the representatives comprising mostly of freelance journalists, the participants of the conference have also portrayed the gross violation of human rights in these countries. The opening ceremony of the conference was performed by the president of Sri Lanka while the 2nd session was opened by information minister of Sri Lanka. The conference was attended by Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Maldives and other countries. 21 representatives from these countries were invited to attend the conference. Representatives from Singapore and General Secretary of International Federation of Journalists, Aidan White, also attended the conference. Speaking on the occasion, President of Pakistan Freelance Journalists Association, Iqbal Yousufi accused India of harassing visiting journalists after issuing them visa. In support of his contention, he quoted the arrest of a Pakistani journalist & editor of a monthly magazine, Muhammad Masood Azhar, who was physically tortured after arrest. The journalist is still missing. He said that this is the worst example in the diplomatic history of the world that valid visa & passport holder was badly torture & is missing but Indian administration is silent. Yousufi pointed out that Indian journalists visiting Pakistan have never even been questioned, leave alone of being physically tortured. He further stressed that if any journalist's credentials seem doubtful the Indian Embassy should not issue him a visa. To net the journalists like this after issuing them visa is the worst kind of diplomatic gangsterism. On Yousufi's protest, the Indian journalists attending the conference assured to take up the matter with their government. The speech of Pakistani representative was hailed and the demand was fully supported by the representative of Saarc countries attending the conference. The conference continued for 5 days in Colombo. During the conference, human rights, regional problems and affect of local conditions on journalism were discussed by intellectuals of Sri Lanka. At the end of the moot, Colombo declaration was issued, based on the recommendations of delegates in the conference. —Correspondent |
