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A total of 383 journalists were subjected to harassment and abuse during the first six months of the year, according to a half-yearly report released by the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS). The report states that 234 journalists were injured, 60 were assaulted or humiliated, 49 received threats, and 11 were detained between January and June.
Based on reports published by 16 national media outlets and information collected by the organization, the HRSS report also highlights a broader deterioration in the country’s human rights situation. It says that 56 people were killed in political and election-related violence linked to intra-party conflicts, while more than 5,246 political activists and civilians were injured.
The report records 133 deaths and 256 injuries in incidents of mob violence and lynching during the same period. It also notes that law enforcement agencies directly or indirectly obstructed 40 public meetings and demonstrations, resulting in 311 injuries and 38 detentions involving political activists, students, workers, and bystanders.
Under the Cyber Security Ordinance, 30 separate cases were filed against 81 individuals, with 44 arrests made. The report further states that 15 cases were filed against 33 journalists under the ordinance.
HRSS also expressed concern over deaths involving law enforcement. Between January and June, 11 people reportedly died in law enforcement custody, due to alleged torture, shootings, or in what the report describes as “crossfire” incidents. In addition, five people died while attempting to flee arrest.
The report also raises concerns over prison conditions, stating that 58 people died in custody during the first half of the year, including 26 convicted prisoners and 32 pretrial detainees.