1. Update from the new lobby group Citizens for Free and Responsible Media,
Pakistan re the A-Plus TV 'reality show': Dear fellow media consumers, once
again together we have proved that people powered reform is a real change maker
and it is here to stay. Each of us symbolizes the hope for positive change by
proving that it is possible. Shamoon Abbasi, the host of the 'Thori Si Bewafai',
the 'reality show' we were protesting against, showed moral courage by resigning
from the show. He says he was given incorrect information about the goal of the
program, that the disclaimers were not given as promised, and that he realized
that it was clearly violating peoples' privacy and was unethical with including
its dramatization. While we have not heard back directly from the channel, it
has removed the show's description from its website as well as the links from
Youtube. It was the power of your signature on this petition that led to this
change. Please join our facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/C4FRM) to
further media consumer rights cause which we have together made successful in
such a short time. Together, let's reduce the cost of silence."

2. Petition against hate speech, threats and incitement to violence, and
vigilante violence against religious communities in Pakistan -
http://chn.ge/xJvAvv (text below - one of the recipients is a traders leader to
whom it's being conveyed that that the business community should be actively
resisting, not fomenting religious hatred)

3. Appeal for World Heritage site for the Kalash people.
http://signon.org/s/t7Otyv
I say give them education, employment; and let them live the way they want.

STOP VIOLENCE AND THREATS OF VIOLENCE AGAINST PAKISTAN'S RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES

The President of Pakistan, Mr. Asif Ali Zardari
Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Yusuf Raza Gilani
Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Ch. Nisar Ali Khan
Chief Minister of Punjab Mr. Shahbaz Sharif, PML-N
President Markazi Anjuman-i-Tajran Malik Shahid Ghafoor Paracha

We urge you to intervene and stop the killing of Pakistan's religious
communities, including Sunni (Barelvi), Shia (including Hazara) and Ahmedi
communities that are facing a virtual genocide simply for following their
religious beliefs and practices.

You are no doubt familiar with Quaid-e-Azam, Muhammad Ali Jinnah's speech to the
Constituent Assembly on Aug 11, 1947, in which he said: "You are free; you are
free to go to your temples. You are free to go to your mosques or to any other
places of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion,
caste or creed –that has nothing to do with the business of the State."

The recent attacks on the 12 Rabiul Awal processions in various cities around
Pakistan (including Gujranwala, Mansehra, Gojar Khan, Mirpur, Khairpur and
Karachi) are evidence of the menace of bigotry and intolerance. The government
must act with all of its might to put a stop to this. It needs to be done NOW.

The evil lurks in the belly of the so-called Diffa-e-Pakistan Council, a
coalition comprising several `religious parties' including some banned
organsiations whose views dont resonate with the majority but are able to use
their armed status and street power to attack others with impunity. The
activities of this coalition need to be curtailed before it becomes the Destroy
Pakistan Council.

Many of those involved in the DPC are also active in the hate-campaign against
the Ahmadiyya community. Most recently, hate-mongers have proposed the
demolition of the Jamaat Ahmadiyya's Aiwan e Tawheed building in Satellite Town
Rawalpindi. We express our disappointment at the participation of Pakistan
Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders in an anti-Ahmedi rally of Jan 29, 2012,
attended by Member of Punjab Assembly Zia ullah Shah and traders union leader
Sharjeel Mir (nominee for a PML-N ticket). It is also shocking that a leader of
the traders community at this occasion made a threatening speech against the
Ahmedi community.

We strongly condemn these threats of violence, and urge the establishment of a
code of ethics, across the board that prohibits any political party supporting
those who victimize others.

The Government, both at the Federal and Provincial levels, must take immediate
action against violence, threats and intimidation, including those in the name
of religion.
A witness protection plan must be instituted and the police empowered, enabled
and de-politicised to act against those who violate basic human rights in
Pakistan.

The full force of the law must be employed to ensure that no one attacks or
threatens members of any community simply for following their religious beliefs
and practices.
—————-
Sincerely,
[Your name] -> Go to http://chn.ge/xJvAvv to sign