Pakistan: CFWIJ Appalled by The Lack Of Sensitivity Displayed by Pakistani Courts in Tenzeela Mazhar’s Case
Location: Pakistan, Islamabad
Date: September 24, 2021
The court refused to accommodate the medical concerns that Tenzeela Mazhar is facing. Tanzeela is currently pregnant and nursing a fractured foot. Upon request to not appear in one of her hearings due to its proximity with when her child is due, the judge told Tenzeela that he would issue her arrest warrant if he found her absent. Tenzeela is currently facing defamation charges in response to a harassment claim she filed against the Managing Director of Pakistan Television (PTV)
In January 2017, Tanzeela took to Twitter to publicly talk about an inquiry into a sexual harassment complaint she filed against her harasser Agha Masood Shorish –– director of current affairs at the state-owned news channel Pakistan Television (PTV), who made “unwelcome advances” at her in 2009. This was also the first time she spoke about her plight on a public platform, while she was still employed at the channel.
Shorish subsequently filed a defamation suit against Tanzeela. She has since been embroiled in an uphill battle against a legal system run and governed by men. The recent incident of insensitivity is only the latest in a series of exhausting bureaucratic demands of a misogynistic system. Tanzeela took to Twitter again to relate the incident.
Defamation cases are used to punish victims of harassment. I was unable to appear before court due to complicated pregnancy. Judge sahib asked for multiple medical certificates, I had no clue how he wanted to decide; a pregnancy is a medical condition or not, during that time 1/4
— Tanzeela Mazhar (@TenzilaMazhar) September 24, 2021
My foot got fractured as well I sent that report also to court but still judge sahib was not satisfied. My due date of delivery was clearly mentioned bt judge sahib said If I won't appear in person he will issue arrest warrants. Is this how courts deal with a pragnant woman 2/3
— Tanzeela Mazhar (@TenzilaMazhar) September 24, 2021
I won't let this system punish me . This system is rotten, victims are made vulnerable, but I am not giving up on this fight... I know truth will prevail insha'Allah. #MeToo 3/3
— Tanzeela Mazhar (@TenzilaMazhar) September 24, 2021
This pattern of violence against women was recognized by human rights groups and journalists alike who extended solidarity to Tenzeela.
Unacceptable how the legal system discriminates against women. https://t.co/ei0llK4r8n
— Amber Rahim Shamsi (@AmberRShamsi) September 24, 2021
When a woman has to face the 'justice' system, there is usually very little justice in what she faces. In solidarity, @TenzilaMazhar https://t.co/IX3zUljP1k
— Zebunnisa Burki (@zburki) September 24, 2021
When a woman has to face the 'justice' system, there is usually very little justice in what she faces. In solidarity, @TenzilaMazhar https://t.co/IX3zUljP1k
— Zebunnisa Burki (@zburki) September 24, 2021
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is appalled at the remarks of the judge in this case. The criminalization of defamation has led to defamation lawsuits being often used to silence survivors of sexual misconduct in Pakistan. This is a clear case of legal harassment and the justice system instead of providing relief is complicit in a misogynistic system. We demand that not only Tenzeela’s medical concerns be accomodated, those in power introspect on the patriarchy that the judicial system in Pakistan is entrenched in and perpetuating.
The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.