... we possibly do not have a definition for it.” In June 2020, Senator Raza Rabbani moved a private members bill in the Senate to abolish sedition. On several occasions, the Human Rights Committees of the National Assembly and Senate have taken up the issue of FIA’s excesses. Common in the recent FIRs is the use of Sections 499 and 500 of the PPC and/or Section 20 of PECA – a non-cognizable offence. With respect to anonymous gifts, the Public Broadcasting Network (PBN) will restrict information about the donor to only those staff members with a need to know. Most curious of all has been the addition of Section 37 of PECA to FIRs, which is not even an offence but an overbroad power given to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to regulate online content. The pre-trial harassment is harrowing and used as a punishment, to teach those who don’t mind the lines a lesson, to remind them what the consequences can be. While two separate cases, the FIRs were uncanningly similar. 3. a device, usu. Did Zulfi Bukhari Visit Israel For Normalisation Of Ties With Pakistan? To date, there is no acknowledgment nor traction on codes of conduct for party members. No irrevocable gift, whether outright or life-income in character, will be accepted if under any reasonable set of circumstances the gift would jeopardize the donor’s financial security. Iran Muzzling dissent and moving to a war footing. After Nawaz Sharif’s speech at the All Parties Conference, an FIR was registered against the PML-N leader and several other party members. In the aftermath of the revocation of Article 370 in August 2019, both Facebook and Twitter came under heavy criticism and accusations of bias were leveled against the platforms for ‘censoring’ views critical of India’s actions and supportive of Kashmiris at the behest of the Indian government. v.t. In two articles, we look at how an increasingly nervous regime is stifling dissent while putting … Initiating fresh proceedings against the FIA is not something everyone is in a position to do. Acceptance of any contribution, gift or grant is at the discretion of the Public Broadcasting Network (PBN). When FIA harassment is challenged before courts, typically they issue directions saying “no coercive action.” However, litigants are still directed to join the investigation which means appearing at the FIA office for questioning. There was much skepticism regarding claims made by digital rights and human rights groups, about what it may lead to, and the impact it would have on speech. How is a trial supposed to be fair without a fair investigation. They held members of the ruling party and those affiliated with it, responsible for this. John Oliver takes on muzzling lawsuits – and the man who sued his show. Just a few days prior to this, on October 23, 2020, Ali Imran Syed, a journalist with Geo News went missing. How censorship works: The government uses mass and arbitrary detention as a means of silencing dissent and forcing journalists into exile. Will the FIA and PTA be held to account for their excesses using powers available to parliamentary committees and its members, to seek answers and check abuse? This, in addition to routine requests by the government – through PTA – to restrict content on one pretext or the other, as reflected in platform reports. Not just government officials, but Pakistan citizens were critical too. My disquiet finally reached a … How Central Asian States are muzzling dissent to stop the spread of news about Covid-19 (Part 2) Imposing new restrictions on the freedom of peaceful assembly and of association On 25 February, Dulat Agadil, a civil society activist in Nur-Sultan, the capital of Kazakhstan, died in police. The literal meaning of contempt is to criticize. And what of those who are not well known and have fewer resources? If free expression, democractic freedoms, fundamental rights and the Constitution hold value, repealing sedition, criminal defamation laws, Sections 20 and 37 of PECA, is only a starting point. Justice Isa is a sitting Supreme Court Justice and was represented by a stellar legal team. There are 440 dissent-related words in total, with the top 5 most semantically related being objection, disagree, protest, disagreement and opposition.You can get the definition(s) of a word in the list below by tapping the question-mark icon next to it. With a summon out, there is a risk of escalation. Such “legal” harassment usually achieves its goal of a retraction, apology or silence. Disclaimer. TNN / Jan 9, 2018, 06:00 IST. ... which would mean they will not be allowed to express dissent. Unanimously quashing the government’s reference against Justice Qazi Faez Isa, the Supreme held that the reference was malafide in law, meaning that there were legal and procedural irregularities and illegalities in the manner it was put together. More often, such states have become predatory, maintaining some order but also arresting opponents, muzzling dissent, nationalizing industries, and confiscating property. Registering an FIR and adding a cognizable section of the law means circumventing court and the ability to arrest. a covering put over an animal's nose and mouth in order to prevent it from biting: She asked him to put a muzzle on his dog after it scared her children. Ultimately he had to approach the Supreme court, which granted him bail. What meaning and practical value do Articles 4 and 10-A of the Constitution have? อม้า, Dictionary, Encyclopedia and Thesaurus - The Free Dictionary, the webmaster's page for free fun content, Nuzzle Up to Muzzles: Why and how every dog should learn to love wearing a muzzle, CHIP VICTORY IN BATTLE TO HALT DANGER DOG ATTACKS; KEEPING OUR KIDS SAFE RECORD CAMPAIGN FORCES CHANGE Government pledge action but mums of victims insist they'll fight on for muzzling, No to muzzles; You Say Email:letters@liverpoolecho.co.uk. translados.org Prior to his disappearance, Jan was also issued a contempt notice by the Supreme Court, for a tweet about the Supreme’s Court’s short order in Justice Qazi Faez Isa’s case. There is no inquiry into the legality of the summons or FIRs, and resultant investigations – whether due authorisation as per law was obtained and the charge qualifies under the offence. Now the question is, what does Pakistan Democratic Movement have to offer in parliament through its members? Anti-CAA protests: Centre ‘muzzling’ dissent, says Congress Special Correspondent New Delhi, December 19, ... the J&K definition on normalcy now prevails in the rest of the country,” he added. This does not mean other laws will not be misused or powers abused. Alamgir Wazir was charged with sedition along with several others in Lahore. Hi there! It’s taken all this for the realisation to sink in all around, what the gravity of the situation is. 18C and the Left’s Muzzling of Dissent. Over the last few months, there have been a spate […] 18C and the Left’s Muzzling of Dissent. These included several workers of the Awami Workers Party (AWP). Accounts supportive of or belonging to those affiliated with the PTM found themselves suspended over ‘privacy’ violations. Is PM Imran Khan Obsessed With The Media? He was in the ‘northern areas’ with friends and did not have signals, is one version. The PTI government, its ministers, advisors and supporters are quick to react to speech restrictions and rights violations around the world – especially in India. These sections are not found in challans or FIRs and even if they were, are not applicable to speech except Section 9, which also lists applicable categories similar to Section 11. Notices are not always sent by post but via Whatsapp or other social media channels. Responding to anti-Israel campus activities 'is also free speech,' says ADL in … After their protests and bid to stage demonstrations across Andhra Pradesh demanding Special Category Status were foiled on Thursday, activists of the YSR Congress staged a … A joint director at the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), his car was found parked outside the National Agricultural Research Centre in Chak Shahzad. SPOTLIGHT | Muzzling Dissent: PECA’s Logical End, Dangerous Colonial Hangover: Time To Repeal Sedition Law. However, the legal requirements set out under different sections of the law for speech to qualify as an offence, are not met. Toor received the summon at 9:32am, requiring him to be at the FIA office at 11am the same day. Platform manipulation through en masse reporting of selected accounts and tweets to stifle dissenting opinions has emerged as a new threat to expression. During advocacy against PECA in 2015, members of opposition but also many within the journalist and legal fraternity undermined the threat it posed. Tolerance has come to mean disdain for social viewpoints which run contrary to the cultural orthodoxy of the day. Four years on, disqualified politicians find themselves censored in a stifled mainstream media. Dissent in Islam. Members are at liberty to move bills. After much public outrage and court challenges, the charges were dropped and those arrested in Islamabad released. It has even been compared to North Korean media for its extreme pro-government affinity and muzzling of dissent, and America’s Fox News which practises biased reporting in favour of the Republican Party. No surprise then that when on September 9, 2020, journalist Bilal Farooqi was taken from his house in Karachi, the immediate reaction was he had ‘disappeared,’ creating a social media frenzy. Once a summon is received or an FIR registered, the first step is getting legal advice and representation. The accused in a criminal case has to appear at every hearing. Turned out though, it was not in response to a direct government report but user reports citing impersonation under Twitter’s own Rules, that led to the suspension of the accounts. The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016 is the weapon of choice. Certain other gifts, real property, personal property, in-kind gifts, non-liquid securities, and contributions whose sources are not transparent or whose use is restricted in some manner, must be reviewed prior to acceptance due to the special obligations raised or liabilities they may pose for Public Broadcasting Network (PBN). These aspects require consideration at the preliminary stages of a case. The Public Broadcasting Network (PBN) will accept donations of cash or publicly traded securities. Iran became the world’s leading jailer of journalists in 2009 and has ranked among the world’s worst jailers of the press every year since. Picked up in the middle of the day from Islamabad, outside the school his wife teaches at, Jan’s abduction was caught on CCTV. Two days later, on September 11, 2020, an FIR was lodged against journalist and former PEMRA chairperson Absar Alam, under Sections 124-A (sedition), 131, 499 and 505 of the PPC, and 20 of PECA. A copy of the complaint, despite requests, is never provided, unless these directions are issued by the court. Yet citizens are subjected to illegal and roving investigations. Muzzling voices, silencing dissent By Guest on 1:44 am April 27, 2020 No Comment Share on Facebook Follow on Facebook Add to Google+ Connect … Laws restricting free speech are therefore the antithesis of democracy, … AA + Text Size. dishonest practices of dissent muzzling, as well as the more or less open capture of Prestes Maia for ends of private of brand name valuation in the international art market. an arrangement of straps or wires, placed over an animal's mouth to prevent the animal from biting, eating, etc. Tweets dating back years were dug up and reported, mostly pertaining to some social or political issue. Facebook Twitter Linkedin EMail. Speech under Section 11 (Hate speech) must be ‘interfaith, sectarian or racial’ in nature. The one assigned to the thana where the case was registered or a designated PECA court since there were PECA offences in the FIR. As every criticism cannot be contempt of court and hence by the Contempt Court Act 1971, the legislation has tried to define and restrict the meaning of contempt of court. Gifts of in-kind services will be accepted at the discretion of the Public Broadcasting Network (PBN). The petitioners and counsels in those are well-known names within the legal fraternity; bar associations and councils became a party. The Congress on Monday accused the central government of “muzzling dissent” and adopting an “ostrich-like approach” by “prosecuting” the newspaper and the journalist who exposed the alleged Aadhaar data breach. The refusal to conform to the authority or doctrine of an established church; nonconformity. Discussion in 'The Study' started by jks9199, Jun 8, 2014. But it was not as straightforward as that. After a meeting with joint opposition, the Pakistan Bar Council constituted a committee of lawyers who will provide pro bono help to journalists charged with political cases. Picked up at 9pm on October 21, 2020, he was released the next day in the early hours, around 4am. Who will compensate for the costs incurred and trauma faced? In some cases the chilling effect is visible. After concerted hashtag campaigns against the Aurat Marches, organisers and participants in Islamabad were attacked. 2. the mouth, or end for discharge, of the barrel of a gun, pistol, etc. Media and public attention was on his case throughout. In January 2020, those protesting the arrest of Manzoor Pashteen in Islamabad were rounded up, arrested and put in jail. Jun 11, 2014 #21. arnisador Sr. Grandmaster. Which court? The idea of the Tories not appearing tough on unpleasant gang members with their violent dogs is simply unthinkable. They were granted bail but, like Mehsud, the High Court rejected Wazir’s bail application too. (Entry 1 of 2) 1 : the projecting jaws and nose of an animal : snout. Without providing any details as is now standard procedure with the FIA, the summon stated he was “well aware of the facts/circumstances of the said complaint.” Earlier, on October 7, 2020, Amir Mir of Googly News – a channel on YouTube – tweeted a summon he received ordering his attendance at the FIA office, purportedly, in relation to a video deemed ‘anti-state’. This, as it later became apparent, was in connection to the FIR against him, even though an application to quash the FIR was already pending before court. His disappearance was connected to the CCTV footage he had obtained, of Captain Safdar’s arrest from Avari hotel in Karachi. Such an order results in muzzling dissent. It took public outcry, media attention, notice by the human rights committee of the National Assembly and for his legal team to argue the merits and demerits of the charges before court, for the case to finally come to an end. Citizenship Amendment Act protests: Internet ban in parts of North East tantamount to muzzling voices of dissent The Citizenship Amendment Act seeks to amend, among other things, the criteria for illegal immigrants ... Ashtami, meaning 'the eighth', is dedicated to Goddess Mahagauri, one of the nine forms of Goddess Durga. The government and its police evidently seek to silence any challenge by muzzling the activists. Unless concrete changes are made in the law and procedures, there is accountability, and the weapons employed against citizens, journalists, activists and opposition are defanged, resistance merely through public posturing and speeches will inspire little faith. Julia Baird and the tactics of muzzling dissent; Julia Baird and the muzzling of dissent. Required fields are marked *. All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. In some cases there were reversals and accounts were restored. Sections 11 and 20 of PECA are frequently added to FIRs. Laws restricting free speech are therefore the antithesis of democracy, and they represent the … He was accused of using derogatory language about state institutions and individuals on social media. On October 26, 2020, Asad Ali Toor tweeted a copy of the summon he received from the FIA, ordering his attendance at their office. Definition of muzzle. Health Security For Pakistan: Are We Going To Learn Anything From 2020? A leading European human rights official has said new Polish plans to reform the judiciary are aimed at muzzling judges and has urged the country's Senate to reject them. In an interview to MJTV, former DG FIA, Bashir Memon made several revelations about his time in office. In 2020, the second wave of this crackdown continues under the PTI government. 38SharesDespite being in the middle of an ongoing global pandemic, a crackdown against journalists, political activists and members of opposition appears to be the number one priority for the state in Pakistan. None of this is new. The first crackdown under it was led by then Minister for Interior, Chaudhry Nisar, in 2017. Bizarre also was the explanation in Sajid Gondal’s case. It took a long drawn out process to arrive at this conclusion. One tweet or a post on social media is all it takes for coercive action under the law. This was ironic given the “silent PM” jibes he took at former prime minister Manm… Your email address will not be published. We had already witnessed the destruction of the Babri Masjid, the rising fortunes of the economic and cultural right-wing and the riots, lynchings, killing of artists, anti-intellectualism and the muzzling of dissent that accompanied them. Sharif’s FIR sparked a lot of debate on the misuse and misapplication of sedition laws. The burden then falls upon those accused to point out the legal flaws through court challenges and navigate the bureaucracy that comes with it. What is said online is not completely disconnected from what transpires offline. Checks need to be in place for that. ... inability to tolerate dissent made worse by the tendency to be driven to frenzy even by well-meaning criticism in the media. The response from government officials was not just deflective but accusatory, painting themselves as victims, saying they were being “singled out.” A follow up statement endorsing the first and pointing towards a culture of abuse prevalent in all political parties was also issued. While PECA requires a warrant for search and seizure of devices, this is also a provision under the law FIA pays no heed to and violates. The phone call was followed by a summon. To understand this, political economists differentiate between two competing forms of power: de jure versus de facto power. Lead anchors have been pushed off screen to YouTube channels. However, except for gifts of cash and publicly traded securities, no value shall be ascribed to any receipt or other form of substantiation of a gift received by Public Broadcasting Network (PBN). 3. He first had to apply for protective/transitory bail before the IHC, then travel to the relevant court in Pindi and obtain pre-arrest bail there. Many associated with the PTM have been charged with offences against the state under the PPC and PECA across the country. At the time it was FIA’s counter-terrorism wing which issued summons. Three days later, on September 14, 2020, journalist Asad Ali Toor tweeted a news report through which he came to know about an FIR against him. Continue Reading → Campuses . The sedition case against them is ongoing. If and when the trial commences is not known. In the case of an FIR, bail is required – set at an amount determined by court – which means additional costs. 4. to put a muzzle on (an animal or its mouth). The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) said authorities had closed the site since last week when they shut 54 news portals and websites for what they claimed were security reasons. The Public Broadcasting Network (PBN) will not compensate, whether through commissions, finders' fees, or other means, any third party for directing a gift or a donor to the Public Broadcasting Network (PBN). PECA cases against Professor Ismail, Hayat Preghal, Ismail Mehsud and Dr Abdul Hai are the more well known ones. In August 2020, a statement on attacks on women in the media drew attention towards sustained attacks against them, which ranged from hacking attempts to sexualised slurs and even rape and death threats, leading many to self-censor and even question whether they should step back from journalism. 2 a : a fastening or covering for the mouth of an animal used to prevent eating or biting. FIA routinely issues summons without first obtaining the court’s permission as required under PECA and its Rules. He returned a few days later. Which way this settles and for how long, remains to be seen. Their cases are still pending. Accused of ‘hate speech’ and ‘defamatory’ remarks against state institutions, Farooqi was charged under Sections 500 and 505 of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and Sections 11 and 20 of PECA. Govt muzzling dissent with Aadhaar FIR, says Congress. Bangladesh’s main opposition website has been shut down amid accusations the government is muzzling dissent ahead of next week’s general election. a strong difference of opinion on a particular subject, especially about an official suggestion or plan or a popular belief: When the time came to approve the proposal, there were one or two voices of dissent. Comment moderation is enabled. Nigerian Government Muzzling Dissenting Voices - Amnesty International - Politics - Nairaland ... Amnesty International has said that Nigeria is trying to muzzle dissent by arresting and intimidating journalists and protesters. Sarnaik's move caused shouting and sloganeering from several Bharatiya Janata Party leaders including Devendra Fadnavis who, accused the "ruling coalition of adopting a two-faced approach when it came to freedom of expression of the media and also alleged that the government was muzzling voices of dissent in the media." There also surfaced Twitter users claiming credit for suspending the accounts, warning them not to violate the Rules. This is the 656th edition of the Spotlight on Green News & Views (previously known as the Green Diary Rescue). Reversing such suspensions involved either deleting the reported tweet or filing an appeal and waiting for a decision. There are several others and they are all still pending. b : something (such as … An FIR was lodged by Syed’s brother, stating he had gone to a bakery near the house and did not return. Pro-Palestinians Accuse Israel Advocates of Muzzling Dissent on U.S. Are the liberal elites muzzling dissent? Unless things change in the next few weeks, it would be the first time in the history of independent India that a prime minister will have spent an entire tenure without addressing a single press conference. The police then informed the family, he was in their custody in connection to an FIR lodged against him. Section 20 (offence against the dignity of a natural person) requires that the ‘aggrieved person’ be the complainant. In Toor’s case, the FIR against him was registered in a far-flung tehsil of Rawalpindi. After much public outrage, calls for recovery and investigation into his disappearance, Syed returned home after nearly a day. 9th July 2014; Comments (1) Jeremy Sammut. Social media today is their only avenue. Leaving cases hanging is another harassment tactic. Remembering Firdous – The ‘Heer’ Of Pakistani Cinema, Electricity Tariff Increase | Debt In 5 Months | Courts On Property Business | Pakistan Newspapers, By-Elections Didn’t Help Pakistan Save Bengal From Secession, Women Action Forum Condemns ‘Fake News’ Being Spread In Meesha-Ali Zafar Case, Army Officer Murder Case: Man Sentenced To Death, Another Imprisoned For Life, PTI Official Account Tweets Childish Jibe At Indian Cricket Team, Later Deletes, Anti Terrorism Court Sends MNA Ali Wazir On Physical Remand Till Dec 30. Sulehri filed a petition before the IHC. After all, in most cases, the objective is to exhaust the other party and send a message to others to maintain silence or face similar consequences. Modi effectively cut off all communication with the media after coming to power in 2014, choosing instead to direct his messaging through tweets, radio programmes like Mann Ki Baat and fluffy staged interviews with pliant journalists. Translations in context of "museler" in French-English from Reverso Context: En d'autres mots, le gouvernement veut museler l'opposition. Coming out of one harrowing experience, opening up a new front is not a privilege many enjoy. Sometimes there are FIRs and sometimes there are summons in connection with ‘inquiries and investigations’. Reliance is placed on the Equustek litigation, wherein an order to remove content was passed by the Courts in … He said there was discussion on it, but the vice-chancellor did not take their views into consideration. But that doesn’t mean every use of the word in critique of an argument is meant that way. Or emails by platforms such as Twitter, informing users “official correspondence” was received that their tweet was violation of “local law.”. While the FIR against journalist Shahzeb Jillani under PECA was ultimately discharged by the magistrate as C-class, he had to obtain bail, appear before the FIA and do the round of courts. The illusion that rule of law prevails or that protections under the law and Constitution are readily available to all, or the notion that surely the FIA and state “won’t go that far,” has finally shattered. Democracy And Development: Why Pakistan Democratic Movement Matters? Here is the Oct. 31st edition. That’s what the law requires, however, FIA routinely flouts procedures under PECA. Multiple petitions were filed and clubbed together with his case arguing against the government’s actions. But disbelief when it happens to others till it happens to you, only enables the culture of abuse and contributes to the culture of impunity. De jure power stems from the law of the land, for example the Constitution of Pakistan; in contrast, de facto power stems from whoever has greater power in practice.. New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it would examine contentions that arrest of five civil rights activists in connection with Bhima Koregaon violence was an attempt at muzzling the voice of dissent. On October 28, 2020, Executive Editor of AwamiKhabarnama.com, Umair Solangi, tweeted he was illegally detained by the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) cybercrime wing. When on September 4, 2020, he did not return, his mother filed a habeas corpus petition before the Islamabad High Court (IHC) for recovery. The writer is a freelance contributor with an interest in religion. The Public Broadcasting Network (PBN) will refrain from providing advice about the tax or other treatment of gifts and will encourage donors to seek guidance from their own professional advisers to assist them in the process of making their donation. Posted by Lyle Shelton on September 29, 2019 Making some people unworthy of participation does not help debate. The news of his abduction drew immediate outrage, statements by international and local groups, and calls for recovery. 2 : to differ in opinion Three of the justices dissented from the majority opinion. Locally, this was witnessed in February 2020, following the arrest of PTM’s Manzoor Pashteen in Pakistan. The Congress today accused the central government of "muzzling dissent" and adopting an "ostrich-like approach" by "prosecuting" the newspaper and the journalist who exposed the alleged Aadhaar data breach. Later, the cybercrime wing detained social media activists associated with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) – then in opposition – and registered FIRs against journalists. Journalists, journalist unions, rights groups, the Pakistan Bar Council, members of opposition, all issued statements and called for his immediate recovery. But when it happens at home, the people who outrage against brigades in India, look the other way and even celebrate and justify the same acts here. It issues standard-template notices of attendance – when it’s not a phone call. The police have no jurisdiction to register and prosecute cases under PECA. Despite being in the middle of an ongoing global pandemic, a crackdown against journalists, political activists and members of opposition appears to be the number one priority for the state in Pakistan. Ihtesham Afghan, a Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) activist also discovered there was an FIR against him, through a news report. With no accountability, there is no deterrence for the FIA or state to repeat their illegal actions against others, so they flout the law with impunity. But the clampdown is also generating pushback and creating pockets of resistance. Zafar later withdrew his tweet and posted saying he was sorry if anyone got hurt by the tweet ‘which was posted inadvertently’. It took an increase in the number of cases and for them to be lodged against those from the same fraternity, class, ideological bent, ethnicity etc, for there to be some awakening and acceptance of what is happening, and the scale it exists on. L'ultima cosa che il Ministro dell'Interno vuole fare è imbavagliare la stampa. Below is a massive list of dissent words - that is, words related to dissent. ... as different interests compete to shape and define its collective meaning through the political process. The muzzling of the right: Coming to a House Committee near you ... no one has an exact definition because fascism is loosely defined, and often gets hurled as a dissent-killing insult, ... and well-meaning community organizations to lose their opportunity to participate in this cherished annual Oregon tradition. Page 2 of 2 < Prev 1 2. Muzzling cultural dissent, at home and abroad. The charges included sedition but also Section 10 of PECA. In August, journalist Imad Zafar tweeted about a call he received from the deputy director of the FIA in relation to a complaint against him by General (retd) Amjad Shoaib. Both contained Sections 499 and 505 of PPC and Sections 11, 20 and 37 of PECA. The Sindh government and police took immediate notice. For now, the looming prospect of the general election seems to be prohibiting politicians' responses. All legal and extra-legal tools available are being employed against dissidents.