The top global body said it was important that people should be allowed to express themselves freely without the threat of any harassment
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI – Concern over the arrest of AltNews co-founder Muhammad Zubair has started resonating in the corridors of the United Nation as Antonio Guterres’ spokesperson said journalists should not be jailed for what they write, tweet and say.
The top global body said it was important that people should be allowed to express themselves freely without the threat of any harassment.
Zubair was arrested by the Delhi Police on Monday over a 2018 sarcastic tweet. The police accused him of offending the religious sentiments of a particular community. On Tuesday, a court sent him to four-day police custody to allow cops to investigate the matter further.
“In any place around the world, it is very important that people be allowed to express themselves freely, journalists be allowed to express themselves freely and without the threat of any harassment,” said Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, Stephane Dujarric, in his response to a question from the media over Zubair’s arrest.
He further said, “Journalists should not be jailed for what they write, what they tweet and what they say. And that goes for anywhere in the world, including in this room,” he said responding to a question from a Pakistani journalist.
Zubair’s arrest has evoked massive outrage in public and political circles as well as in the media community. Different groups have issued statements condemning his arrest and calling for his release.
