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“Freedom of speech and freedom of media is one of the most important achievements of Afghanistan and is our red line,” Second VP Danish said
AT News
KABUL: Second Vice President (VP), Sarwar Danish has said that the government is not seeking to limit the media law and freedom of speech. He underscored the remarks in a tweet, following a disclosed later to President Ashraf Ghani from the media outlets over a new scheme of the government to restrict free media law. Danish said the government is committed to the constitutions and civil rights of the citizens.
“Afghanistan government has no intention to restrict press freedom and is strongly committed to the constitution and the basic rights of the citizens. Freedom of speech and freedom of media is one of the most important achievements of Afghanistan and is our red line,” he said in a tweet.
Earlier, media outlets and media watchdogs in an open letter to President Ghani voiced concerns about the proposed amendment, saying it will limit freedom of the press and runs against the Constitution and international treaties. They called on the president to stop the drastic and repressive provisions and prevent it from becoming a menace against freedom.
The letter was read out by Afghan Journalists Safety Committee Chief Najib Sharifi in a press conference in which the government is accused of yet again attempting to amend the Mass Media Law. They said that the new proposal will impose severe limitations to the freedom of media.
