Asma Jahangir, who has long been the target of those who resent her criticism of the social and political imbalances that mar Pakistan's society, has revealed what she considers genuine threats to kill her.
UPDATE: In Pakistan, UN human rights chief meets with Jahangir (CPJ, 7 June 2012)
(CPJ/IFEX) – June 5, 2012 – The following is a CPJ Blog post:
By Bob Dietz/CPJ Asia Program Coordinator
There is no better time than now for U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay and EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton to step out of their tightly planned schedule of meetings in Pakistan and make a trip to the home of human rights activist Asma Jahangir.
Jahangir, a lawyer who formerly chaired the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, has been a staunch advocate of media freedom and journalists’ rights. She has long been the target of Pakistanis of many different sorts who resent her criticism of the social and political imbalances that mar Pakistan’s society.
Now Jahangir has revealed what she considers genuine threats to kill her. Those threats came from “a responsible and highly credible” source, according to public comments that Jahangir made Monday and to a statement released by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, which was signed by 44 prominent members of Pakistan’s civil society.
