In Pakistan, military courts should not try more than 100 people for their alleged role in attacks on army installations during the riots that followed ex-prime minister Imran Khan’s arrest on May 9, 2023, said Amnesty International chief. She urged the Shehbaz Sharif government to uphold its international obligations.
Amnesty International’s Secretary General Dr Agnes Callamard said that the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights clearly say that civilians should not be tried by military courts.
On Tuesday, the Amnesty chief was quoted by Dawn News as saying that although, under international law, military trials for civilians are a “no-no”, “sadly it has happened” throughout the political history of Pakistan. Callamard is on her first regional visit to South Asia.
Callamard urged Pakistan to uphold its international obligations and safeguard constitutional guarantees and ensure the right to a fair trial.
Ban on X in Pakistan
Regarding the ban on X in Pakistan, Callamard said Amnesty was very shocked by the shrinking space for freedom of expression in the country.
She underlined that Pakistan should do the opposite of what “it is doing right now”.
It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan has decided to conduct the trial of more than 100 civilians for their alleged role in attacks on army installations during the riots that followed jailed ex-premier Khan’s (71) arrest on May 9, 2023.
Pakistani Army says 102 accused have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the attacks.