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Italian government addresses issue of journalist Francesca Marino detention in Pakistan

On December 22, 2011, the Italian Government officially discussed the detention of journalist Frances Marino in Pakistan. Below is a google translation of the proceedings posted at Camera dei deputati

Urgent proceedings

(Details and actions related to the Government of Pakistan and the police detention of journalist Francesca Marino at Karachi airport - No. 2-01289)

CHAIRMAN. Ms. Mogherini Rebesani is invited to present her question No 2-01289 regarding details of actions in relation to the Government of Pakistan and the police detention to which journalist Francesca Marino was subjected at Karachi airport (See Annex D: Question...What information does the Italian Government have in relation to this incident and does it propose to intervene with Pakistani authorities, asking them detailed information about it and, more generally, confirm what guarantees of security exist and their practicality in relation to the ability of journalists to freely exercise their professions [unclear] and the need to deal promptly with events of international interest that take place in Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan (2-01289).)

FEDERICA MOGHERINI REBESANI. Mr. Chairman, let me also seize this opportunity to thank Secretary de Mistura. I believe it is his debut here and I am particularly grateful to him for answering the urgent interpellation in question, since he has long and important experience in that area so he can respond with all the skill and sensitivity that this question requires.

We decided to submit an interpellation requesting an urgent examination of the case of journalist Francesca Marino who works with several national newspapers including The Messenger, Espresso and The Limes, and who has just recently published a book on Pakistan, "Apocalypse Pakistan - Anatomy of the most dangerous country in the world," and who was, on 20 November, the victim of a rather unfortunate incident, probably not unique because of the reality of the country, but very unpleasant because it involves an Italian journalist.

Ms. Marino was stopped at the airport in Karachi after arrival from India, where she was traveling for personal reasons (she has an adopted daughter from an orphanage in Calcutta and her husband has died and is buried in India, so often goes to that country for personal reasons, as she often travels to Pakistan for professional reasons and work).

Ms. Marino had a valid visa to carry out her role and to enter the country, Pakistan. The journalist had been issued the visa on October 25 by the Embassy of Pakistan in Rome. Despite this, she was stopped and detained overnight in the airport police office, without the presence of a lawyer. Officially, it seems, she was not arrested. The next morning she was interviewed in the offices of the Federal Intelligence Administration, again without a lawyer, and was detained almost the entire day and subjected to questioning about her activities and the reasons for her frequent visits to India and Pakistan.

Until the end, apparently, the journalist was offered no official explanation of the incident which occured. What seems clear now is the fact that her visa had been added, AFTER the issue of visa, i.e., on 1 November, to a blacklist of people, mostly journalists and activists--a list of more than a hundred names whom Pakistani authorities do not welcome. This seems to have been a rather anomalous insertion into a blacklist given that the visa had already been issued just a few days prior, in fact, only five or six days earlier.

The story has since ended happily, let's say, in the sense that the Pakistani authorities and the Pakistani Interior Ministry had allowed her to remain in the country for 72 hours. She was advised to leave the country, however, quickly, because reliable sources had indicated that Ms. Marino was in danger of being accused of espionage and anti-Pakistan activities, offenses for which Pakistan applies the death penalty, as we know.

I'd like to read a sentence from Ms. Marino's account of what happened, what describes well the heart of the problem. She says: "The situation has been resolved by the Interior Minister, Rehman Malik, who gave the order to validate my visa for 72 hours. (...) But diplomatic sources had advised me to leave the country immediately, because even though the visa problem had been solved, no one was able to guarantee my personal safety." [unclear]

It is clear that this is a painful case, because I imagine that being stopped for hours, without knowing exactly why, and without being able to communicate with the outside world or with a lawyer, and the uncertainty of her situation, created a very serious situation from both a physical and psychological point of view.

What has happened is very important in relation to the state of health of journalism, so to speak, not only in Pakistan or Afghanistan, but in crisis areas in general. There is a tendency in the world to make it more difficult for journalists to do their job, their duty to inform--not only a right to information--with competence, reliability, professionalism, putting at risk sometimes their own safety and their own lives, to play a central role. I refer to the function of informing the world's public regarding what is happening in countries far from those in which they live, in areas that are critical to us all, not only for the stability and peace of those areas, but also for peace and global stability.

We recall, moreover, that when it comes to Pakistan, in particular, talking about a country the Secretary knows certainly much better than I, that, perhaps, now, it has taken on central importance in relation to its neighbor, i.e., Afghanistan, regarding the possible stabilization of the area.

It is, therefore, a vital and fundamental role that journalists play in the region. It is clear that there is always room for interpretation regarding what can be said and what can not be said and how you can communicate information. I think, however, the Italian journalists and, in particular, Francesca Marino have the sensitivity, professionalism and humanity, I might say, necessary to perform this role and task.

I therefore believe that they are right; they deserve to hear a response regarding their complaints. In reporting the severity of the episode, it should also be indicated that it is not acceptable that such a thing happen in a country that has normal diplomatic relations with us, and how, more generally, this episode fits into the increasingly common trend in the world to apply pressure to journalists, especially in the areas of crisis or bordering the most acute crises, while attempting to describe what is going on.

I really want to emphasize how crucial this role is, because, indeed, unfortunately it is often in these most unstable areas of the world, places of crisis and conflict, in which our military and our NGOs are also working with great efforts and also, often, with great results. We hold, therefore, it is important to emphasize that the Italians and Italian public opinion should be informed of what happens in those places, not only in relation to what the Italians working in the field are doing, whether they be military or civilian, but also about the context in which they operate. [unclear]

I therefore believe that it is important not only for Francesca Marino, of course, who is waiting for some answers, but also for the National Federation of the press and I would add, the Italian public opinion more generally, to know what information the Italian government has in relation to this incident and how it intends to proceed in its relations with the Pakistani authorities to ensure that there are real guarantees of security in order to freely carry out journalistic work.

This activity must be made as secure as possible, as free as possible, for the dozens of Italian journalists who, between Afghanistan and Pakistan, are working in extremely difficult conditions and with extreme personal responsibility with respect to the information they provide to the Italian public. [unclear]

CHAIRMAN. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Staffan de Mistura, is invited to respond.

Staffan de Mistura, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

Mr. Chairman, Congressman, first of all I would confirm Ms. Marino's version of events, and thank you, frankly, for having raised this point. This is a point that touches both the freedom of the press, that the relations that exist between Italy and Pakistan are excellent, but are modulated based on events like this, between Italy and Pakistan.

Allow me, therefore, to raise nine short points short that coincide with his version of the facts and remember what needs to be done and the reasons for which the Government must acknowledge that this was just an interpellation. This, aside from the fact that I have the pleasure of meeting Dr. Marino and I saw her in action, I have a personal respect for her work, clearly.

Point number one: it is true, Dr. Marino was stopped on November 24 and, as far as we know, is on a blacklist. Immediately, when this regrettable incident occurred, the Italian Ministry took it up with Pakistani authorities and, on the basis of clear complaints, precise and clearly communicated by our Ambassador and Consul General in Pakistan, there was a movement in the right direction...We acted quickly, but Pakistani authorities did, however, detain Dr. Marino for a period and certainly at stressful cost.

The reality however is that, in the end, Ms. Marino was released. She had 72 hours in which to conduct her business, which she did, plus I think it was confirmed that [unclear].

What actually happened is, and I repeat it, is that our ambassador advised her, however, to leave the country after 72 hours. She traveled to Lahore and from there, returned to the place she had come for family reasons (family that people, frankly, know and respect). We know of the adoption of this daughter, plus the fact that there are personal reasons that often lead her to India, facts which, perhaps, are also misinterpreted, by a country with which there are still difficulties [unclear].

It is also true that our ambassador advised her to leave. I confirm what she says. In effect, not only Pakistan, but especially Pakistan, is one of the most dangerous countries for foreign journalists. The proof is in the facts: what happened in the past when not only one, but many journalists, have lost their lives or suffered big troubles...[unclear].

As for point number seven on the issue of freedom of the press, I must say that you are right. Relations with Pakistan are good, very good and should continue to be good, because, in fact, the traditional relationship between Italy and Pakistan has always been good, both in commercial terms and in terms of foreign policy, but the values of press freedom and journalists' safety is something we cherish, as a government and as Italians.

That is why we are turning to the European Union [unclear]. Anything to get unanimous action, because, simply put, not only Italy but all those who, like us, believe in freedom of the press and human rights, may mark the fact that journalists have the right to their work without being threatened.

The European Union delegation in Pakistan, together with other member states, in fact, recently held an event on the subject of freedom of the press which has a special significance because it related to this subject. [unclear].

CHAIRMAN. Mr Peluffo, co-signatory of interpellation is invited to speak.

JOSEPH GUIDO VINICIO Peluffo. Mr. President, Mr. Secretary, fellow Members, I rise to express my satisfaction at the response we have here to Mr. Secretary and to the punctuality and attention that the Government has shown over the subject urgent episode interpellation we presented... [unclear].

Indeed it is, as pointed out also by the Secretary, a serious episode in the sense that what happened to our compatriot Francesca Marino should be - as has been done - the object of attention and should be also taken into consideration when regarding any other aspects and future [unclear].

Frances Marino received the Pakistani visa from Italy and only later, upon her arrival at the airport in Karachi, was detained, detained in this manner, i.e., without a lawyer, in a state that is not officially [unclear], but obviously in a state of coercion with serious concerns about her safety.

Only later we learn that she was included on a blacklist, a concept in itself very significant. I am referring to the fact that there is a blacklist of journalists and human rights activists that are regarded as unwelcome by Pakistani authorities and that yet they receive, as in the case of Francesca Marino, the visa (i.e., not having previously indicated their problem, or that the persons are regarded as undesirable), but once they land on Pakistani territory are subject to a treatment that can only be described as behavior that is clearly designed to intimidate, because this is what this is all about.

This is the gravity of the episode. Therefore it is vital to ensure the safety of our citizens, starting with Francesca Marino, and also ensure their security and their right to exercise their work as a journalist. Here is the second part that is necessary. In our opinion, raise the issue [unclear] that involved Francesca Marino, but more generally, about all [unclear].

In fact, there are dozens of Italian journalists, and not only Italians, who do their work in Pakistan. In this regard, the emphasis that has been advanced by the National Federation of the press, [should receive] I think a lot of attention, in the sense of calling to their safety [unclear] and the safety of their work as a journalist in Pakistan.

For this - in closing - we invite the Government to maintain vigilance, as said in the words of Secretary de Mistura, in a country with which we have normal diplomatic relations and which require [unclear] particularly in carrying out their work properly.

* * *

Background:

Italian journalist Francesca Marino expelled from Pakistan

Note: Italian journalist Francesca Marino was detained at Pakistan's Karachi airport after authorities discovered her name had been added to a blacklist of unwelcome journalists. Francesca kindly emailed me her account of the event. The below is translated from the Italian with the help of GoogleTranslate.

"When I arrived in Karachi I was stopped by airport police who mumbled 'something wrong' with my visa. An hour later I discovered that the visa had been 'blacklisted.' A peek at the printout from the computer indicated they had been ordered to arrest me.

I was held overnight in the Karachi airport police office--not officially under arrest, but with no access to a lawyer, of course. The next morning I was taken to the offices of the Federal Intelligence Administration (FIA), again without a lawyer, and was detained until the afternoon. Authorities were seeking information about my work and questioned why I travel so frequently to India. Those questions reveal a lot about the quality of Pakistani intelligence, for one only has to enter my name in Google to find my articles and information--not a secret--that my husband had died and was buried in Benares, India. (And the fact that I have a lovely little girl, adopted two years prior in Calcutta, code-named Gauri--a dangerous international spy who provides trafficking information regarding cookies that cross the border.)

During this ordeal, I was provided no official reason as to why my visa has been blacklisted. The real issue, however, is that this was a trap. I was duly granted my visa by the Embassy of Pakistan in Rome on October 25. The Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) blacklisted my visa on November 1 (when, from what they knew, I should have been in Pakistan). This carefully prepared trap did not work, however, because I had delayed my trip to Pakistan and airport security stopped me while entering--not exiting--the country. I was to be arrested upon exit from Pakistan, when authorities could accuse me of anti-Pakistani activities, an offense for which the death penalty may be applied.

Ultimately the situation was resolved by Interior Minister Rehman Malik, who gave the order to validate my visa for 72 hours. Diplomatic sources and news media colleagues, however, advised me to leave the country immediately. Even though the problem was temporarily resolved by the validation of my visa and, in theory, I was free to stay in the country, no one was able to guarantee my personal safety, nor rule out that I might meet with a car accident, find myself 'by chance' in the middle of a firefight or become the victim of a kidnapping. So, from Karachi I took the first flight to Lahore. From there I traveled, under the protection of the Italian Embassy, to Delhi.

Despite being treated with extreme courtesy by both the airport police and the FIA (which had categorically refused to arrest me for no reason), the fact remains that the behavior of the Pakistani authorities was completely illegal and it confirms, once again, the pathetic state of so-called democracy in Pakistan.

My articles, lectures and the book that I recently published with Beniamino Natale, "Apocalypse Pakistan," have never been welcomed by the Islamabad government, nor perhaps was my meeting in Brussels with Mehran Baluch, but thus far I had never had any problems, apart from some isolated verbal confrontations.

I have decided to publicize this incident as much as possible because apparently blacklisted AFTER visas have been granted (always in the name of the law) to more than a hundred journalists, writers and human rights activists. My experience, therefore, may not be an isolated case and others who may be less well known and connected than me, may suffer real troubles.

A friend has written that this week a group of MPs will formally raise the issue in the Italian Parliament, asking the government to officially question Pakistan about the freedom and safety of journalists. The same will be done in a couple of days in the European Parliament."

Francesca Marino is a South Asia expert, a free-lance journalist and a writer. She writes for Limes - Italian Review of Geopolitics, for the daily Il Messaggero and the weekly L'Espresso and gives speeches and lectures at universities and other organisations all over Europe. She is the only female journalist to have interviewed, in person, Mohammed Hafeez Saeed, Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief, in March 2010. She wrote her first book on India (India in 100 immagini - laterza editions) in 2007 and recently in April 2011, with Beniamino Natale, a book on Pakistan called "Apocalisse Pakistan" - Memori editions. "Apocalypse Pakistan - Anatomy of the most dangerous country in the world" analyzes the political situation of Pakistan, a country that is a "key ally of the West in the war on terrorism," but also the state in which they hid and still hide the leaders of international Islamic terrorism.

Additional coverage:

La giornalista Francesca Marino espulsa dal Pakistan, Nov 26, 2011
FNSI: Solidarity to the Italian journalist expelled from Pakistan: Her name on a journalists' blacklist
Giornalista italiana espulsa dal Pakistan: Il suo nome sulla lista degli sgraditi al regime

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