Pakistan

The Writers in Prison Committee of English PEN is seriously concerned about the whereabouts and well-being of freelance journalist Khawar Mehdi Rizvi, who has been missing since 16 December 2003. It is thought that he is held in unacknowledged detention by security forces in Islamabad, where he is feared to be at risk of torture.

According to our information, freelance journalist Khawar Mehdi Rizvi was arrested in Karachi with French journalist Marc Epstein and photographer Jean-Paul Guilloteau on 16 December 2004 after accompanying them on a trip to Quetta, where they had been reporting on Taliban groups near the Afghanistan border. The two Frenchmen were charged with violating visa regulations for visiting Quetta without permission. They were each sentenced to six months imprisonment, reduced to seven days on appeal on 10 January 2004, when they were freed and subsequently deported. Following his arrest, Khawar Mehdi Rizvi is believed to have been transferred to Islamabad where he is thought to be secretly detained by the Pakistani security services. In spite of statements by President Musharraf, the interior minister and a spokesman for the foreign ministry all declaring that Rizvi was detained for ‘investigation’, federal government officials have denied on three successive occasions before the Sindh High Court in Karachi that they are holding him.

English PEN is seriously concerned about reports that missing journalist Khawar Mehdi Rizvi is held in unacknowledged military detention, where he is feared to be at risk of ill-treatment. PEN calls upon the Pakistani authorities to make known Rizvi’s whereabouts immediately, and to provide details of any charges against him. PEN seeks immediate assurances that he is not being ill-treated. PEN is concerned that journalist Khawar Mehdi Rizvi may be held solely for the peaceful practice of his profession, and if this is the case, calls for his immediate and unconditional release in accordance with Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Please send appeals:

- Expressing serious concern about reports that missing journalist Khawar Mehdi Rizvi is held in unacknowledged military detention, where he is feared to be at risk of ill-treatment;

- Calling upon the Pakistani authorities to make known his whereabouts immediately, and, if held by security forces, to provide details of any charges against him and assurances that he is not being ill-treated;

- Calling for his immediate and unconditional release if detained in

violation of Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Appeals to:

General Pervez Musharraf

Chief Executive

National Security Council

General Block, Pakistan Secretariat,

Islamabad

Pakistan.

Fax: +92 51 922 4768

His Excellency Maleeha Lodhi

High Commission for the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

35-36 Lowndes Square

London SW1X 9JN

Fax: 020 7664 9224

Salutation: Your Excellency

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