PAKISTAN: World Press Freedom Day -- 57 journalists killed during the last 15 years

The United States, the United Kingdom and a delegation of the European Union on Friday called upon the Government of Pakistan to resolutely defend media freedom in the country, adding that gags on the media and attacks on journalists were not acceptable.

While marking the World Press Freedom Day today, May 3, the European Union Delegation, in agreement with the EU Heads of Mission in Pakistan, expressed in a statement its deep concern over the steadily deteriorating environment for media freedom in Pakistan. The EU delegation said that Pakistan is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists.

Sri Lanka: An Open Letter from the ALRC to Hon. Ms. N. Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Requesting Immediate Action

We wish to  bring to your notice this extraordinary situation, which will be a decisive moment,
that if not prevented at all costs, will result in the collapse of the rule of law in Sri Lanka

''The ALRC expects that the United Nations human rights mechanisms and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to have within their means and the capacity for immediate intervention, when a situation arises in a country where irreparable loss will be caused to all previous work done to promote and protect human rights due to political actions a government has launched against independent institutions in that country. If no actions were taken now, no amount of condemnations later would help repair the damage. ''

SRI LANKA: The Supreme Court requests the PSC to withhold the impeachment inquiry

A Statement from the Asian Human Rights Commission
The Supreme Court yesterday (November 22) decided to inform the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) appointed to inquire into the allegations made in the impeachment motion filed by a number of Members of Parliament against the Chief Justice. The court is inquiring into a reference made by the Court of Appeal acting in terms of Article 125 of the Constitution referring to the following question relating to the interpretation of the Constitution for the determination of the Supreme Court: